What happens when two legends organise a reunion?
A T20 match like one never-before unfolds. Or at least this one did, in New York on Saturday evening.
Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne led two star-studded line-ups of retired players in a T20 match and yes, it was every bit as exciting as their fans had expected.
Here’s a look at our favourite moments from the game at Citi Field Park.
1. Sachin and Sehwag Open Again
Top of the day, Shane Warne and Sachin Tendulkar walked out in the middle for the toss. Warne won and elected to bowl - the entire stadium erupted.
Sachin was going to bat first thing in the match.
With Sourav Ganguly joining the the team from the second T20, it was the much loved partnership of Sehwag and Sachin on display again. Sehwag on strike and Akram with the ball.
Lots of throwback moments, lots of boundaries, lots of smiles and banter as our favourite opening pair added 85 together. The match’s highest partnership.
Sehwag’s 55, also the day’s highest score.
2. Sachin Out Off Warne
No secret who held the bragging rights all these years in the Sachin vs Warne battle. Having fallen to the Aussie just 4 out of 29 times in the past, Sachin however conceded this mini-battle to Warne on Saturday.
The last ball of Warne’s first over. A mistimed shot toward mid-off, a surprisingly springy 40-year old Jacques Kallis, a one handed catch and Warne had his man.
Sachin out 29. b Warne
3. Warne’s Spell of Three
Tendulkar, Laxman, Lara- three glorious batsmen in one batting order. But that’s not all that is common between them.
On Saturday, Shane Warne picked up the bragging rights of getting all three out in a matter of four overs.
His spell finishing at 3/20. Sachin’s Blasters posting a 141-run target.
4. Kallis’ Murali Run Out
Now who expected a run-out in the match? Rather, who expected some spring-in-the-step fielding?
Muttiah Muralitharan impressed the arena with a great throw to Moin Khan who dislodged Jacques Kallis’ bails with ease.
Sangakkara just stands and watches as his former team-mate divests him of his second batting partner in the same over.
Warne’s Warriors: 22/2 after 3 overs
5. Friendly Fire in the Dugouts
Very IPL-eqsue, players were chatting with the commentary box all through the match and Alan Wilkins managed to catch Wasim Akram in the dugout at one point.
Asked for a status update, the best left-arm fast bowler of all time instead chose to give a lowdown on the aching bones in the dressing room.
We will all be sore tomorrow. We have some four physios back here and a couple of masseuse. I think everyone will be on the table after the game.Wasim Akram
Michael Vaughan also indulging in some friendly banter. In the video he points towards Shoaib Akhtar and Curtly Ambrose who are waiting to go out to bat, commenting, “slight concern for Sachin’s team, these two have padded up.”
Here’s Akhtar’s reply,
Are you mocking us? I had a 43 in 12 balls against you guys in 2003, remember?Shoaib Akhtar
6. Sachin’s Bowling
Ricky Ponting and Kumar Sangakkara had hit three maximums in the innings so far and Jonty had added his two. The team was cruising.
Warne’s XI needed just 18 off 7 and guess who stepped up to bowl.
More chants of Sachinnnn... Sachinnn.
But who’s to tell Jonty the script. The South African smashed SRT for a six and marched onto victory.
Warne’s Warriors drawing first blood in the three-match series with a 6 wicket win.
A lot of the guys have trained hard, they are proud people, they don’t want to be embarrassed and they were not today. The first two-three balls, I couldn’t get them through past halfway. But after that it was alright. Thank you to the fansShane Warne.
The next match is on Wednesday in LA.