On his 25th birthday on April 24, 1998, Sachin Tendulkar smashed 134 against Australia in the final of the Coca-Cola Cup to record the highest score on birthday in ODIs. The Coca Cola Cup in 1998 was a big deal with Australia, India and New Zealand competing for the trophy in the United Arab Emirates.
The opening fixture between India and New Zealand played at the Sharjah cricket stadium was won by India by 15 runs. The sixth and the last league match was played between Australia and India.
Earlier in the tournament, Australia had beaten India by 58 runs.
The last group match, just before the final, which has now become legendary due to Sachin Tendulkar's Desert Storm knock saw a brilliant reply from India after Australia posted 284 runs from their 50 overs on the back of 81 from Mark Waugh and an unbeaten century from Michael Bevan.
After the Desert Storm, the target was revised to 227 from 46 overs. India had stitched together a good partnership with Nayan Mongia and Sachin Tendulkar taking India to 107 after Sourav Ganguly fell with the score at 38.
However, a couple of quick wickets of Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja pegged India back. Sachin Tendulkar then showed his class, smashing 143 off 131 deliveries with 9 boundaries and 5 sixes while going at a strike rate of almost 110.
Unfortunately, Tendulkar was dismissed in the 43rd over and India's hopes of beating Australia went to the dogs.
Tendulkar made up for the loss less than 48 hours after the Desert Storm innings as India and Australia met in the final of the Coca Cola Cup on April 24th - Sachin's 25th birthday.
Australia posted 272 runs this time around. Venkatesh Prasad, Ajit Agarkar and Hrishikesh Kanitkar picked up one wicket each for India.
Sourav Ganguly again departed early, making 23 off 42 balls. Tendulkar smashed 134 off 131 deliveries with 12 fours and 3 sixes. Despite his dismissal, India went on to win the match and the Coca Cola Cup by 6 wickets with 9 balls to spare.
Tendulkar dominated the tournament, scoring 435 runs from 5 matches at 87 and a strike rate of over 100. He struck 37 boundaries and 9 sixes.
The next highest run scorer in the competition was Michael Bevan who could manage only 276 runs. Tendulkar truly showed that he was the best in the world, and that too by a fair margin.
