Brad Hogg, a former Australian cricketer with a unique left-arm chinaman bowling style, crossed paths with the legendary Indian batsman, Sachin Tendulkar, during a memorable match in Hyderabad on October 5, 2007.
In this thrilling encounter, India took on Australia in the third ODI of a seven-match series. Tendulkar, the cricketing maestro, was at the forefront, opening the innings alongside Gautam Gambhir. It was during the 27th over that Hogg, known for his versatile bowling skills, delivered a beautiful chinaman ball to Tendulkar. The result? Tendulkar was caught in front of the wicket and was given out lbw.
What happened after the match was equally special. Tendulkar approached Hogg, surprising the Australian cricketer by asking for his autograph. Hogg was both amazed and deeply honored by Tendulkar’s request. Tendulkar not only received Hogg’s autograph but also left a memorable note underneath it, saying, “You will never be able to get me out again, Hoggy.”
Hogg was deeply moved by this gesture of sportsmanship from Tendulkar, a player often hailed as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. He expressed his gratitude, saying, “It was a great honor to be asked for an autograph by Sachin Tendulkar. He is one of the greatest batsmen of all time, and it was a privilege to play against him.”
Tendulkar’s record against Hogg was impressive. In the 18 matches they played against each other, Tendulkar scored 731 runs at an average of 41.18. However, Hogg managed to dismiss him only once, in the memorable match we’ve discussed.
This unique moment in cricket history, captured by visual elements such as an image of Sachin Tendulkar and Brad Hogg and a snapshot of Tendulkar’s autograph to Hogg, serves as a testament to Tendulkar’s respect for his opponents and his sportsmanship. It is also a reminder of Tendulkar’s exceptional greatness as a batsman.
For context, the 2007-08 ODI series between India and Australia was a remarkable one for Tendulkar. He amassed 477 runs in the series, including two centuries and two half-centuries. Tendulkar’s impressive record against Australia in ODIs stands at 3431 runs with an average of 42.90 in 70 matches. However, Hogg’s performance against Tendulkar was less successful, managing to dismiss the cricketing icon only once in their 18 encounters.
Today, Brad Hogg has transitioned into a respected cricket commentator and analyst, known for his insightful and humorous commentary, adding another layer to this captivating cricketing story.