The day of the final happened to be Tendulkar’s 25th birthday. He had already played a gem of an innings to steer India quite unexpectedly into the title clash. Could be pull off an encore? Australia again set India a difficult target scoring 272 for nine in 50 overs. India lost two wickets for 128 and then Tendulkar and skipper Md Azharuddin added 120 runs for third wicket. Batting in majestic vein Tendulkar went on to get a second hundred against the Aussies in successive matches and by the time he was out for 134 off 131 balls in the 45th over India had all but sewn up the match. He was third out at 248 after hitting 12 fours and three sixes. Azhar then fell for 58 but India were home with six wickets and nine deliveries to spare. Tendulkar’s back-to-back hundreds saw Warne in a touching gesture seek his autograph on his shirt. ``I was hit by the best batsman in the world’’ said the world’s best spin bowler and most famous adversary. Tendulkar’s reward for winning the trophy for India virtually singlehanded was an Opel car
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