In a Test match at Nottingham almost two decades ago, part-time off-spinner Michael Vaughan bowled a ball that turned so sharp, it beat legendary Sachin Tendulkar's cover drive to knock the top off his off-stump.
While the story of Vaughan dismissing Tendulkar in a 2002 Test is not new, what happened after the match is something that has never been spoken of. i.e., until now. Vaughan recalled how he went inside the Indian dressing room and revealed details of what happened in there.
"Well, you know, Sachin was struggling for form. I thought I would just throw one out there. The ball before, he had wacked me through extra cover so I thought I'll bowl this a bit high, wide and slower. Just bowled it in the rough and hit the top of off stump. Still got it, got the ball signed by Sachin," Vaughan said on Fox Cricket.
"Sourav (the then Indian captain) was given a debrief. I asked him if I could come in. Sachin was on the left so I just snuck in and said 'If you don't mind, can you just sign it? Straightway he did and said cheers. Slightly fortunate I must admit. I think he was batting on 90 at that time," added Vaughan.
India were reduced to 11/2 before Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid revived the innings with a 163-run partnership.
England responded to India’s first-innings 357 by racking up 617, Vaughan the star of the show with 197, his highest Test score to date. Alec Stewart (87) and Craig White (940 gave England a massive lead . The Indians needed to bat out five sessions to save the match.
A partnership of 135 between Dravid and Sourav Ganguly would eventually prove enough to save the match but in what was an unforgettable summer for Vaughan.
A fine batter of his generation and an Ashes-winning captain, Vaughan held multiple records with the bat and even though he picked 22 international wickets, beating Tendulkar on the drive with a classic off-spinner's dismissal in the 2002 Test series between India and England promises to remain one of the most cherished moments of his entire career.
