The Background

It was January 1999. The last time India and Pakistan had faced each other in a Test series, Sachin Tendulkar was a baby-faced 16-year-old on his first-ever international tour. Fast forward to 1999, Tendulkar was now widely regarded as the best batsman in the world after a stupendous 1998.

India's batting lineup boasted a formidable middle-order. Rahul Dravid had risen in stature with stellar performances in New Zealand, Sourav Ganguly had established himself as a match-winner, and the wise head of skipper Mohammad Azharuddin provided a steady presence. Yet, Tendulkar was the face of cricket in India, the embodiment of a nation's hopes and dreams. Kids across India, including future captain Virat Kohli, idolized him, dreaming of emulating his feats.

The Setup

The Chennai crowd endured agony before witnessing a batting masterclass. Saqlain Mushtaq’s doosra had rattled India in the first innings, with Tendulkar falling for a three-ball duck. Pakistan set a formidable target of 271 for India to chase, with nearly two-and-a-half days to get there. But India’s innings stumbled to 82/5, leaving Tendulkar and ailing wicketkeeper Nayan Mongia as the last recognized batting pair.

Tendulkar's Brilliance

As was often the case in the 1990s, Tendulkar seemed to be batting on a different surface. He drove, flicked, and lofted Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Saqlain Mushtaq with ridiculous ease, while the middle-order collapsed around him. The match turned into a Tendulkar vs Pakistan affair, with India’s chances of winning the series opener resting solely on his shoulders.

Tendulkar's innings was a mixture of aggression and elegance. He struck fours with ease and ran aggressively between the wickets, frustrating the Pakistan bowlers. As he approached his century, the crowd's excitement was palpable. However, there was a moment of concern when Tendulkar, batting on 83, had to stop play due to a sore back. The prayers and hopes of millions of fans rested on his ability to continue.

The Heartbreak

Tendulkar's back worsened as he went past his hundred, and he decided to take the attack to the bowlers. On 136, looking to hit Saqlain out of the park, Tendulkar top-edged a delivery and was caught by Akram at cover. The roar of the Pakistani fielders was matched by the collective groan of the Chennai crowd, who rose to give Tendulkar a thunderous send-off.

With 17 runs still required, it was up to the tail-enders to see India home. However, Saqlain and Akram proved too good for the Indian tail, and India’s innings folded just 21 balls after Tendulkar's dismissal. It was another instance of India stumbling at the final hurdle.

The Aftermath

For Tendulkar, it was a case of déjà vu. Many of his valiant efforts during that period didn’t get the triumphant finish they deserved. His 136-run knock in Chennai stands as one of the greatest innings in Test cricket history, a masterclass that ended in heartbreak. The 25-year-old Tendulkar was so devastated that he wasn’t on the field to collect the Player of the Match award, which he received despite being on the losing side.

This innings walks into the what-could-have-been list in a glorious career that spanned 24 years. For the fans, it remains a poignant reminder of Tendulkar's brilliance and the sheer weight of expectations he carried on his shoulders.