The legendary Indian cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar has recalled his rivalry with former Australian pacer, Glenn McGrath, and how he had found the strategy of frustrating the latter during the Adelaide Test in 1999. Sachin said Australia tested his patience by bowling outside off to ensure he leaves as many deliveries as possible and commit a mistake on the odd one. 

During a chat with Star Sports, Sachin said, “In 1999, in our first match at Adelaide… In the first innings, there was hardly 40 minutes to go in the day’s play. Glenn McGrath comes and bowls five or six maiden overs to me. That was their strategy… ‘let’s frustrate Sachin. 70 percent of the ball should go to (wicket-keeper) Adam Gilchrist and 10 percent close to his bat. If he plays or chases deliveries outside the off-stump we have succeeded’.”

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However, the batting legend was in no mood of giving it up and obliging them. He not only countered their mental game, but also came out the way of sledging the legendary McGrath.

Describing the same, Tendulkar said, “So I kept leaving as many deliveries as possible. There were some good deliveries where I was beaten as well. But I said ‘well bowled and now go back and bowl again as I am still here’.”

Once the Australians had started losing their patience, Tendulkar decided to take things in control the next morning.

Recalling the same, Sachin said, “I remember hitting him (McGrath) for a few boundaries the next morning because it was a fresh day and we both were at the same level. They had a strategy but I knew their strategy was to frustrate me. I thought this evening I am patient but tomorrow morning I am gonna play the way I want. You won’t control how I want to play but I would control where you are going to bowl.”

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Tendulkar retired following a record 200th Test in 2013 as the most prolific run-getter and century-maker in history of the game.