The world's numero uno batsman Sachin Tendulkar is our Player of the Fortnight. India played three One-day Internationals against West Indies in the last two weeks, the third being the final of the triangular series for the Coca Cola Cup.

Tendulkar scored 203 runs in the three matches and was only dismissed once. On Saturday, June 30, India took on West Indies at the Queen's Sports Club, Bulawayo, for the first time in the triangular series. On a pitch that was on the slower side and keeping low, West Indies struggled to make 169/7 in 50 overs. Batting was never easy on the pitch as the West Indies bowlers kept a tight line and length.

Tendulkar was the lone batsman to shine with a patient knock of 81 not out, which came off 110 balls with the help of eight boundaries. Tendulkar took the 40th Man of the Match award of his illustrious One-Day career for his match winning effort.

In the second match against West Indies played at the Harare Sports Club on Wednesday, July 4, India restricted West Indies to 229/5 in 50 overs. Sachin Tendulkar went about striking the ball to the boundary with ease. It was a free flowing knock of an unbeaten 122 off 131 balls; yet another match winning effort from the little master.

Tendulkar smashed a six and a dozen boundaries to take India past the target. He also shared an invaluable first wicket partnership of 133 with skipper Sourav Ganguly (62) that laid the foundation for a comfortable win. Tendulkar walked away with the third Man of the Match of the tournament in four matches and the 41st of his career.

For once, Tendulkar failed with the bat in the all-important final played at Harare on Saturday, July 7, which India lost to West Indies. Despite this, Tendulkar still emerged as the most valuable Indian player of the fortnight.

Inside Stuff Tendulkar lists his five best hundreds in ODIs ... [ More ] Wright and Tendulkar: Mutual respect ... [ More ] Tendulkar at the peak and looking forever upwards ... [ More ] Tendulkar: A great cricketer, a gem of a person ... [ More ] Mark Waugh's tribute to Tendulkar ... [ More ]

Milestones Tendulkar's 29th 100 in ODIs [ Scorecard | Match Report | Ball-by-ball ] Tendulkar's 10,000th run in ODIs [ Scorecard | Ball-by-ball ] Career ODI milestones on Stats Guru [ Click ]