A rock amid ruins

Sachin Tendulkar walking across the vast outfield at the MCG, with only seagulls for company. The picture captures the general sentiment of the 1990s, when with Tendulkar's arrival and departure rose and ebbed India's hopes of a competitive performance away from home. In Melbourne in December 1999, when the weather was damp and batting a struggle, Australia rallied to 405 and India crumbled around Tendulkar. He battled through a bouncer barrage from Glenn McGrath and spells of serious speed from the debutant Brett Lee, and lofted Shane Warne straight over his head and into the stands for his innings' only six. When he departed - caught hooking at deep backward square because he was running out of partners - Tendulkar had scored 116 out of India's 212. It was his last Test century as captain, and his 52 in the second innings was India's top score as well.