In his autobiography, Playing It My Way, Sachin Tendulkar revealed a surprising challenge he faced during the 2003 ICC World Cup match against Sri Lanka in Johannesburg. Although fans saw him perform brilliantly, Tendulkar was battling a serious upset stomach throughout the match.
Unusual Solution: Tissues for Relief
To manage his discomfort, Tendulkar took a unique approach—he placed tissue paper inside his underwear. The cricket legend said that for almost 3 hours (160 minutes), he played with tissues to cope with the pain and discomfort.
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The Cause of His Illness
Tendulkar explained that he added salt to his energy drinks, thinking it would help him recover faster. Instead, it upset his stomach, forcing him to deal with intense discomfort during the game. At one point, he even returned to the dressing room, feeling unwell.
Remarkable Performance Despite the Pain
Despite his condition, Tendulkar scored 97 runs from 120 balls, helping India secure a convincing 183-run win over Sri Lanka. While Javagal Srinath was named Man of the Match for his bowling (4 wickets for 35 runs), Tendulkar’s innings was crucial to India’s victory.
Tendulkar’s efforts in that match were just part of his outstanding performance throughout the tournament. He was the highest run-scorer, making 673 runs in 11 matches with an average of 61.18, including one century and six half-centuries. His batting carried India to the final.
The Final Showdown Against Australia
In the final, held on March 23, 2003, at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, India faced a powerful Australian side led by Ricky Ponting. Australia set a massive total of 359/2, with Ponting scoring an unbeaten 140. India struggled to match this, getting all out for 234 runs. Glenn McGrath took 3 wickets, leading Australia to a 125-run victory.
Tendulkar’s Lasting Impact
Though India didn’t win the trophy, Tendulkar’s performances throughout the tournament, especially his courageous innings against Sri Lanka, left a lasting legacy on the World Cup and his career.
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