Match-fixing is the biggest crime a player can commit in their career. In the greed of money, some players commit this big mistake and they have to bear the consequences throughout their life. There are many names whose lives were ruined by fixing. Bookies always play a role behind these match-fixing scandals. In 1998, some bookies were making their attempts to put Team India players in this bog. But, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly couldn’t let this happen.
When Sachin & Ganguly Saved India From Fixing
In 1998, a day before India’s Nidahas Trophy final match against Sri Lanka at Colombo, Sachin and Ganguly were reportedly approached by bookies. Indian team coach at that time, Anshuman Gaekwad had also received an anonymous call. The caller, reportedly said ‘India will lose the match’. The next day India’s match and Sachin came to Sourav Ganguly’s hotel room to give him shocking news.
Sachin told Ganguly that he had heard a senior player saying over the phone we will have to lose the match. Both players were determined to win the final match for the country and for making this happen, they made a plan. Both were openers of the team and decided to play every ball of the final sensibly, so they don’t lose their wickets. Sachin and Ganguly wanted to bat together as much as they could so the fixer couldn’t succeed ruining things for India.
Luckily Mohammed Azharuddin-led team India batted first in the final. And Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly succeeded to build a big partnership. Both made a 252-run partnership for the first wicket in 44 overs. Sachin scored 128 off 132 runs while Ganguly’s final score was 109 off 136 balls. However, their worst nightmare came true when no other player in the Indian team scored more than 25 runs. India captain Mohammad Azharuddin scored five runs in the Nidahas Trophy final match.
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At the end of 50 overs, India scored 307 runs at the loss of 6 wickets. India all-out Sri Lanka on 301 runs and won the match and tournament by a close margin of 6 runs. Ajit Agarkar had picked 4 wickets in this match. Sachin Tendulkar received man of the match award in this final.