Indians Haven't Forgiven Me For Getting Sachin Tendulkar Out in 2003 World Cup Final, Says Glenn McGrath
Sachin Tendulkar has often been ruthless against the Australians. However, if there was one bowler who troubled him the most was Glenn McGrath and their on-field battles went on to find a special place in cricketing folklore.
Glenn McGrath versus Sachin Tendulkar -- one of the greatest rivalries that has been seen on the cricket field. During the late 90s and the beginning of the 2000s, this was one battle, the cricket world looked out for -- the best batsman in the world against the best quickie around. (Tendulkar Meets the Superstar Who Inspired Him as a Child)
The Indian batting legend was ruthless whenever he faced the Australians. In fact, he has scored his most runs against the yellow brigade. However, if there was one bowler who troubled him the most was McGrath. Their on-field battles went on to find a special place in cricketing folklore.
"I had some great battles with Sachin", said McGrath in an event, "in fact, the Indians still haven't forgiven me for getting him out in the 2003 World Cup final." (Indian Cricket's Future in Safe Hands: McGrath)
Reliving the 2003 World Cup final at Johannesburg, McGrath said, " Sachin hit me for a four in the first over and the next ball, I dug it in short and he served up an easy caught and bowled to me."
Another famous incident that often is the topic of any cricketing discussion is Tendulkar's LBW decision back in 1999 series at Adelaide. Tendulkar was given out LBW when a short ball from McGrath didn't bounce and hit him on the shoulder while he was ducking.
"I read what he feels about it in his book", said McGrath. (India vs Bangladesh: Sachin Tendulkar's 100th Ton)
Tendulkar in his book, Playing it My Way, wrote that he thought that the ball would have missed the stumps comfortably as it was on the rise.
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McGrath doesn't agree with it , "Sachin is a small guy and I disagree with him because the ball was on the way down and I could see even the bails."
Talking about his team-mates, McGrath was all praise for Shane Warne. "Whatever Warnie did was better and bigger than us. He was notch above the entire team."
However, a facet of Warne's life took McGrath by surprise.
"We couldn't believe Shane was going out with Liz Hurley", said the man from New South Wales.
When asked about his famous sledging incidents, the 45-year-old said, "The word sledging sounds bad. It's more like gamesmanship and it's okay to have a bit of banter on field but it should never be personal and abusive."
Glen McGrath took over as coaching director from Dennis Lillee at the MRF Pace Foundation in 2012 and has been training the future speedsters of world cricket in Chennai.