Sachin Tendulkar fell short of three figures in what looks sure to be his final Test innings as India drove towards a 2-0 series sweep against West Indies.
All eyes were on The Little Master, who resumed on 38 in his hometown Mumbai this morning.
His simple progression on to 74 left many expecting the perfect finale for a man who will go down as one of the greatest to play cricket.
But Narsingh Deonarine had other ideas, luring Tendulkar into an edge that was snaffled by Darren Sammy at slip.
While the dismissal’s impact was huge in a wider context, it mattered little in the game as India subsequently secured a 313-run lead by posting 495 all out.
Their vice-like grip on the match and rubber had strengthened, too, by the close, with Ravichandran Ashwin claiming two wickets as the Windies stuttered to 43 for three.
However, the majority of home fans still left disappointed as their idol, 24 years to the day since his international debut, failed to register a 52nd Test century.
While that will overshadow the day, it should not detract from fine hundreds hit by Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma, the latter grabbing his second in his first two Test innings.
Their efforts were backed up by Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, who hit 57, to offset Shane Shillingford’s 5-179.
In reply, West Indies once again looked in disarray with the bat, Ashwin ousting Kieran Powell and Darren Bravo either side of spin twin Pragyan Ojha trapping nightwatchman Tino Best lbw.
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