The first session of play on Monday took my mind back more than 21 years ago when Sachin Tendulkar scored his first Test hundred at Old Trafford.
It was a sterling effort by a 17-year-old on his first tour of England that not only saved the game for India, but announced to the world the coming of a great talent.
In the period since, Tendulkar has grown into a full-blown genius with a record that would stand scrutiny forever. The question being asked when the last day’s play began at the Oval therefore was not about his calibre, but whether Tendulkar could save this Test by making his 100th international century.
Not too long back, and in a different context, such question may even have been seen as impertinent. But on this tour, Tendulkar has been sub-par by his own high standards, and the impending 100th century – which has captured the imagination of the entire cricketing universe – has proved as elusive as the clichéd pimpernel.
Contrary to what many people have believed, though, I didn’t think he had been out of form in this series. A little out of sorts every now and then, a little out of luck on a couple of occasions, and a little too conscious perhaps of the record, which has hung like an albatross round his neck.
For the first two hours on Monday, however, it seemed that the 100th century would be a cinch. There was nothing in the pitch for the England bowlers, and young night-watchman Amit Mishra batted with a defiance and derring-do that has sadly been absent in the frontline batsmen to boost his partner’s confidence further.
Tendulkar seemed to warm to the challenge, unraveling strokes of precision and authority, much as he had done 21 years ago. He was circumspect, but not defensive and no loose ball went unpunished. With no wicket falling till lunch, it appeared that India seen off the worst and all that remained was the celebration of a major record.
For some reason, he appeared a different batsman post-lunch. Extra cautiousness crept into his approach which allowed the England bowlers to get back on top, waiting for the breakthrough which could pave the way for a possible win. In the event, they got two.
Mishra and Tendulkar fell in successive overs, the latter agonisingly given leg-before nine runs short of the landmark century. It was a decision which the umpire himself would like to review.