#OTD in 1999: Sachin Tendulkar scored an emotional 140*

On this day, Sachin Tendulkar played a terrific knock of 140* off 101 balls against Kenya in the 1999 World Cup. This was an emotional game for Master Blaster as it was played on the backdrop of his father's demise.

Ahead of the 1999 World Cup, Tendulkar delivered one of the finest knocks of 136 in a Test match against Pakistan while overcoming the back spasm. However, he was said to have embarked on a trip to England for the ICC event with fitness issues. 

In the first game of the tournament against South Africa, Tendulkar had an average start with 28 off 46 balls, and the team also could not win the match. 

On the eve of their next league fixture against Zimbabwe, the Indian opener heard the news of his father's death. Soon, he headed home to attend the funeral of his father. 

The team suffered a shocking defeat against the lower ranked Zimbabwe by three runs, putting pressure on the team to seal the place in the next stage.

After spending three-four days in India, he returned to England and told the media that 'that's what my father would have wanted me to do'.

In the crucial fixture against Kenya, the fine form of Sadagoppan Ramesh, Sourav Ganguly, and Rahul Dravid meant the little master had to bat at the number four position. 

He arrived at the crease, with India at 92/2 in the 21st over. The crowd had come with the banner of 'Welcome back, Sachin; we're with you.'

He looked at his natural best and completed his fifty in the 35th over of the game. After his fifty, he accelerated in a fine fashion with his glorious drives and paddle sweeps and sealed the first century of the World Cup in the 44th over of the game. He waved his bat at the crowds and looked up to the heavens. 

His flourish at the end overs helped the team score 70 runs off the last six overs, and he remained unbeaten on 140* off 101 balls. 

Chasing 330, Kenya had a bad start with only 30 runs in the first 11 overs and the loss of two wickets. The likes of Kennedy Otieno and Steve Tikolo scored half centuries, but they lost the game by 94 runs. 

This win helped India to feature in the Super 12 stage but could not seal a spot in the semi-finals.