How Sachin almost missed the record

Imagine missing out on a world record! Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar had almost missed out on becoming the first player in the history of one day internationals to score a double century.

Let us rewind to figure out what happened in the penultimate and the last over of the Indian innings.

Sachin Tendulkar was unbeaten on 199 and MS Dhoni, the captain, at the other end unbeaten on 36. India were 368 for three.

South African fast bowler Dale Steyn came into bowl the 49th over. Dhoni was on strike.

The first ball yielded no run but the second one was hoisted over mid wicket for a towering six. The Indian captain could not connect his bat with the next ball.

However, the one after that touched the fine-leg boundary ropes. The next one was despatched by Dhoni for another six.

Fingers crossed. Will Dhoni hit a boundary? No was the answer as the ball was drilled down the ground to long off for a single.

People glued to their television sets were praying. The crowd on the ground was hoping to witness history. Come on Sachin!

Sachin Tendulkar unbeaten on 199 and MS Dhoni, the captain, at the other end unbeaten on 53. India were 385 for three.

The last over in the Indian innings was to be bowled by Langeveldt. Dhoni was on strike.

First ball. It was full length delivery and a bit wide but Dhoni is equal to the task and hits over the long off boundary for a towering six. The crowd reaction was a bit strange. Till then, almost every shot played by the Indian batsmen was cheered.

But this one met with a subdued reaction.

Five more balls to go. By then, every God may have been remembered in India. Sachin was still batting on 199.

Second ball. Dhoni plays wide of deep midwicket but Hashim Amla was equal to it. He fielded it and restricted the pair for a single. Never before you would have witnessed a crowd cheering for a rival team player for fielding and giving away only a run.

This finally brought Tendulkar on strike.

Then came the moment. Langeveldt came into bowl to Tendulkar. The ball was steered behind point. That was it. A single was taken. The crowd erupted. So did his teammates in the dressing room.

History was made.

This delay was possibly because Dhoni wanted to add as many runs as possible to his team kitty and also cross the total of 400.

But, nothing could deter one of the greatest batsman on Earth to add another feather to his cap. And, what a record it is!