Little margin for error when bowling to Sachin Tendulkar, reminisces Henry Olonga

07/15/2019

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Former Zimbabwe pacer Henry Olonga has talked about his experience of bowling to Sachin Tendulkar in the various encounters they had when India faced off against Zimbabwe. The pacer had risen to fame after he famously got the Indian out but Tendulkar had responded by battering him in the next match.

Having made his debut in 1995, Henry Olonga was considered one of the fastest bowlers in the world and could be devastating on his day. However, he had a bad reputation as far as accuracy is concerned, frequently bowling a large number of wides and no-balls. Yet, when he first faced the little maestro back in 1998, cricket saw one of its most famous sporting duels take place in quick succession over a couple of matches.

India and Zimbabwe were facing off in a tri-series match in 1998. The result was inconsequential considering both teams had already booked a spot in the final. However, in a famous incident, a fired up Olonga managed to get the better of Tendulkar who had by then established himself as the world’s best. However, this was not the end of it. Two days later, in the final at Sharjah, Tendulkar ripped apart Olonga and sent him for 50 runs in six overs enroute to his innings of 124 runs off 92 balls. India ended up chasing the target of 197 without losing a wicket.

Olonga recently participated in an Ask Me Anything on the social media platform Reddit and was asked about his experience of bowling to the great Sachin Tendulkar.

“Bowling to the best batsman in the world - arguably - we had Lara as well was a daunting task. Sharjah 1998 I was back after 3 years of fixing my action. India ’95, Australia ’96, South Africa ’97. I was told I needed to bowl well or selectors would not consider me again. Played in the test in Harare. Took five. MOM. Bowled my way into the Sharjah squad. Sachin was at his peak in those days. Was opening the batting. Did well against him in the dead rubber.

"Just knew I had to bowl fast to stand a chance. I was normally inaccurate and so I had to use my pace whatever the outcome. In the final he was incredible. Bowled as quick as I ever did but he was on fire. Played in a few more encounters. Test tour of India early 2000s. I reckon he won the rest. You had to get him early or forget it. Little margin for error with Sachin - a true champion of his day,” wrote Olonga, expressing his respect for the stout Indian.

Olonga went on to play in the 2003 World Cup but was forced into retirement after protests for his political stances. He was exiled to England and made an honorary member of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC).