Sunil Gavaskar
India's narrow loss to Australia will be lamented for it has given the champion visiting team the advantage in the one-day series, but those Indians who had the good fortune of witnessing one of the great innings in limited-overs cricket, will try and assuage their disappointment by forgetting the result, but remembering the innings.
Not that it can ever be forgotten for it was an innings that not only spoke, in a loud voice, of the technical expertise that the player had, but also the mental toughness that he posseses, but is seldom talked about. Before the match started there were, as usual, some who were questioning his form etc., those who haven't held a bat were the ones in the forefront of this, and it can only happen in India where one of our greatest icons has to bear this and prove himself over and over again.
Sachin Tendulkar's journey to 17,000 runs
These people will never know what the pressure of expectations is. What it means to be constantly reminded of an impending mark. Thankfully, this portion is a minority but it's an irritating one and it speaks volumes of the man who can shut all this out and go play an innings that even someone as a hard to please tough opposition captain call it one of the best he has seen in this format of the game.
Quite simply it was a privilege to watch it live and see the technical excellence and quality of the innings as well as the innovativeness of some of the shots. It needed plenty of character too for India was climbing a mountain and there was nobody to share his burden till Suresh Raina came along and helped him get close to the peak.
The scoop shot is a recent addition to the game after the T20 format but even as it drives a bowler to despair it has also cost two big matches: Misbah-ul-haq is perhaps still regretting that shot, that cost Pakistan the first T20 world cup and 'the master' will also be disappointed that it didn't come off just when his team needed it.
Coverage: India v Australia
Shane Watson is the other outstanding perfomer of the week. The promotion to the opening spot has rejuvenated his career which seemed to be going nowhere. His bowling may have lost out a bit on the pace but he still picks up wickets at crucial times for his team and he was the closest contender for this week's accolade, but he was a wee bit short as this week's CEAT International Cricketer award goes to the 'tallest man in the game', Sachin Tendulkar.
Professional Management Group
