When Tendulkar was left stranded on 194 not out (2003-04)
Sachin Tendulkar looked set for his second consecutive double century but then the unexpected happened. Captain Rahul Dravid declared the Indian innings, leaving the master batsman stranded on 194 not out in the first Test against Pakistan in Multan.
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Addressing the media at the end of play, Tendulkar made his disappointment clear. "Obviously, I'm a little disappointed, having got so close," he said. "I was aware that the declaration was just around the corner, but when it came, I was taken by surprise. The plan was to put them in for an hour or so. We were playing very positively at the time ... a run-rate of four-an-over is very good in Test cricket. But when Yuvraj got out, I saw Rahul [Dravid] calling us in."
Dravid came in for a lot of criticism from former cricketers, Indian fans and a section of the Indian media. And with the match ending in four days, he was made to rue his decision further.
Later it was revealed that regular captain Sourav Ganguly had signalled the declaration before stand-in captain Dravid waved to Tendulkar to return to the pavilion.
However, India coach John Wright put an end to the controversy when he along with Dravid and Tendulkar addressed the media after the victory. They all came together and declared that the matter was discussed internally and put to rest!
Celebrating Sachin
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