Editing Sachin Tendulkar (section)

==== 2007–08: Tour of Australia ====
{{Further|Indian cricket team in Australia in 2007–08#Controversies|Second Test, 2007–08 Border–Gavaskar Trophy}}
In 2008 India's tour of Australia, at a Sydney Test match, Australian [[Andrew Symonds]] accused Indian [[Harbhajan Singh]] of using racist terminology by calling him a monkey. This matter was dubbed "[[Indian cricket team in Australia in 2007–08#Controversies|Monkeygate]]" by the media.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/cricket/news/forget-about-monkeygate-harbhajan-singh-to-aussies/articleshow/67121856.cms |title=Forget about 'Monkeygate': Harbhajan Singh to Aussies {{pipe}} Cricket News – Times of India |publisher=M.timesofindia.com |date=17 December 2018 |access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref> Singh was suspended by the match ICC referee after a hearing. Sachin Tendulkar was standing at the non-striker's end at the moment when Symonds claimed the racist comments were made. In the hearing, Tendulkar said to the ICC match referee [[Mike Procter]], that he could not say what exactly Singh said to Symonds, but in the next hearing, Tendulkar changed his stance and said that Symonds had not said "monkey" but "''Teri Maa Ki...''" ('Your mother's...'). In his autobiography ''[[Playing It My Way]]'', Tendulkar wrote, "''Teri Maa Ki...'', It is an expression we often use in [[Hindi Belt|North India]] to vent our anger and to me it all part of the game".{{Full citation needed|date=March 2023}} The matter became big in the following days and nearly led to the cancellation of this tour.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=Sachin Tendulkar claims "Monkeygate" hearing was unfair; slams Adam Gilchrist for lack of sportsmanship|url=https://www.dnaindia.com/sports/report-sachin-tendulkar-claims-monkeygate-hearing-was-unfair-slams-adam-gilchrist-for-lack-of-sportsmanship-2032688|access-date=26 December 2021|website=DNA India|language=en}}</ref> The referee suspended Singh for 3 Tests but after appeal and Tendulkar's statement in the hearing the suspension was overturned. Andrew Symonds later said in ''Monkeygate- Ten years on'', a documentary that was based on this matter, "When I began to play for Mumbai Indians, IPL franchise, once Harbhajan Singh came to me and apologised."  Symonds said in the documentary, "We go to a very wealthy man's place for a barbecue, drinks, and dinner one night, and the whole team's there, and he had guests there, and Harbhajan said 'mate, can I speak to you for a minute out in the garden out the front?' He goes, 'look, I've got to say sorry to you for what I did to you in Sydney. I apologise."<ref>Sources
*{{Cite news|last=Morris|first=Tom|date=16 December 2018|title='Broke down, what for?' Harbhajan refutes new Monkeygate claims|work=Herald Sun|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/cricket/monkeygate-ten-years-on-harbhajan-sing-refutes-new-monkeygate-allegations/news-story/cca9a2c3e5fcf3cae698eb5d5e0ca3f1|access-date=26 December 2021}}
*{{cite magazine|last=Singh|first=Ujwal|date=22 January 2018 |title=Mike Procter criticises Tendulkar's role in 2008 Monkeygate controversy|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/sachin-tendulkar-monkeygate-harbhajan-singh-andrew-symonds-mike-procter-cricket-1150958-2018-01-21|access-date=26 December 2021|magazine=India Today|language=en}}
*{{cite web|date=7 January 2021|title=12 years of Monkeygate: The IND vs AUS Sydney Test that erupted into a courtroom battle|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/monkeygate-the-scg-test-that-erupted-into-a-courtroom-battle-7134953/|access-date=26 December 2021|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}
*{{cite news|title=Monkeygate Was Lowest Point As Australia Captain, Says Ricky Ponting |url=https://sports.ndtv.com/cricket/monkeygate-was-lowest-point-as-australia-captain-says-ricky-ponting-2196626|access-date=26 December 2021|website=NDTVSports.com|language=en}}
*{{Cite news|agency=Press Trust of India |date=6 November 2014|title=Tendulkar throws light on "monkeygate" scandal|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/tendulkar-throws-light-on-monkeygate-scandal/article6568380.ece|access-date=26 December 2021|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> The ''[[Herald Sun]]'' stated that Tendulkar is still not "forgiven" by some Aussie players for changing his account on Monkeygate, dubbing Tendulkar an Indian "[[demigod]]".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Conn |first1=Malcolm |title=Former Test captain Ricky Ponting in his new book questions the role of Indian great Sachin Tendulkar in "monkey gate" scandal |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/cricket/former-test-captain-ricky-ponting-in-his-new-book-questions-the-role-of-indian-great-sachin-tendulkar-in-monkey-gate-scandal/news-story/3b375820bc4838f4c54b93d4b71dc3c7 |access-date=22 April 2022 |work=Herald Sun |date=17 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/australian-media-digs-out-monkeygate-ghost-88343-2012-01-03 |title=Australian media digs out Monkeygate ghost |magazine=India Today |date=3 January 2012 |access-date=10 January 2022}}</ref>

In the [[Indian cricket team in Australia in 2007–08|Border–Gavaskar Trophy, 2007–08]], Tendulkar showed exceptional form, becoming the leading run scorer with "493 runs in four Tests, despite consistently failing in the second innings.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cricket Records {{pipe}} Records {{pipe}} Border–Gavaskar Trophy, 2007/08 {{pipe}} Most runs |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=3163;type=series |work=[[ESPNcrcinfo]] |access-date=18 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302142604/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/batting/most_runs_career.html?id=3163%3Btype%3Dseries |archive-date=2 March 2014 }}</ref> Tendulkar scored 62 runs in the first innings of the first Test at the [[Melbourne Cricket Ground|MCG]] in [[Melbourne]], but could not prevent a heavy 337-run win for Australia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Australia wins the first match |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ausvind/engine/match/291351.html |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=18 December 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114172800/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ausvind/engine/match/291351.html |archive-date=14 November 2013 }}</ref> In the [[Second Test, 2007–08 Border–Gavaskar Trophy|controversial New Years' Test at Sydney]], Tendulkar scored an unbeaten 154, even though India lost the Test. This was his third century at the [[Sydney Cricket Ground|SCG]] and his 38th Test century overall, earning him an average of 326 at the ground at the time of completing the innings.<ref>{{cite news|title=Tendulkar lords over Sydney, cracks 38th century |url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/tendulkar-lords-over-sydney-cracks-38th-century/257849/0 |first=G S |last=Vivek |location=Sydney |newspaper=[[The Indian Express]] |date=4 January 2008 |access-date=29 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329220104/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/tendulkar-lords-over-sydney-cracks-38th-century/257849/0 |archive-date=29 March 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Binoy |first1=George |last2=Gopalakrishna |first2=HR |date=4 January 2008 |title=Tendulkar's SCG success and Gilchrist bags No. 400 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/tendulkar-s-scg-success-and-gilchrist-bags-no-400-329054 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213144653/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ausvind/content/story/329054.html |archive-date=13 December 2013 |access-date=29 March 2014 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> In the third Test at the [[WACA Ground|WACA cricket ground]] in [[Perth, Western Australia|Perth]], Tendulkar was instrumental in India's first innings score of 330, scoring a well-compiled 71. India went on to record a historic triumph at the WACA, ending Australia's run of 16 consecutive wins.<ref>{{cite web |last=Premachandran |first=Dileep |date=19 January 2008 |title=Inspired India end Australia's streak |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-australia-2007-08-291320/australia-vs-india-3rd-test-291353/match-report-4 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140115025818/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ausvind/content/story/332219.html |archive-date=15 January 2014 |access-date=29 March 2014 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref> In the fourth Test at the [[Adelaide Oval]], which ended in a draw, he scored 153 in the first innings, being involved in a crucial 126-run stand with [[VVS Laxman]] for the fifth wicket to lead India to a score of 282 for 5 from 156 for 4.<ref>{{cite web |last=Premachandran |first=Dileep |date=24 January 2008 |title=Tendulkar ton lights up keen contest |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-australia-2007-08-291320/australia-vs-india-4th-test-291354/match-report-1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127085641/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ausvind/content/story/333085.html |archive-date=27 November 2013 |access-date=29 March 2014}}</ref> He secured the Man of the Match award.<ref>{{cite web |title=3rd ODI: India v South Africa at Belfast, Jul 1, 2007 {{pipe}} Cricket Scorecard {{pipe}} ESPNcricinfo |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/india-tour-of-australia-2007-08-291320/australia-vs-india-4th-test-291354/match-report-1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127085641/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ausvind/content/story/333085.html |archive-date=27 November 2013 |access-date=18 December 2013 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

In the One-Day International Commonwealth Bank Tri-Series involving India, Sri Lanka and Australia, Tendulkar became the only batsman to complete 16,000 runs in ODIs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sachin reaches to 16000 runs |work=IBNLive |date=10 October 2013 |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cricketnext/sachin-tendulkar-timeline-1989-to-2013/427634-78.html |publisher=IBN Live |access-date=18 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227204834/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cricketnext/sachin-tendulkar-timeline-1989-to-2013/427634-78.html |archive-date=27 December 2013 }}</ref> He achieved this feat against Sri Lanka on 5 February 2008 at the [[The Gabba|Gabba]] in [[Brisbane]]. He started the series with scores of 10, 35, 44 and 32.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?agemin1=0;ageval1=age;batting_positionmax1=2;batting_positionmin1=2;batting_positionval1=batting_position;class=2;filter=advanced;orderby=start;series=3160;team=6;template=results;type=batting;view=innings |title=Batting records {{pipe}} One-Day Internationals {{pipe}} ESPNcricinfo Statsguru {{pipe}} ESPNcricinfo |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=29 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150609231132/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?agemin1=0%3Bageval1%3Dage%3Bbatting_positionmax1%3D2%3Bbatting_positionmin1%3D2%3Bbatting_positionval1%3Dbatting_position%3Bclass%3D2%3Bfilter%3Dadvanced%3Borderby%3Dstart%3Bseries%3D3160%3Bteam%3D6%3Btemplate%3Dresults%3Btype%3Dbatting%3Bview%3Dinnings |archive-date=9 June 2015 }}</ref> His form dipped a bit in the middle of the tournament,{{original research inline|date=March 2014}} but Tendulkar came back strongly in India's must-win game against Sri Lanka at the [[Bellerive Oval]] in [[Hobart]], scoring 63 off 54 balls.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/india-hammer-final-nail/277511/ |title=India hammer final nail |first=G.S. |last=Vivek |location=Hobart |date=26 February 2008 |access-date=29 March 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329215815/http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/india-hammer-final-nail/277511/ |archive-date=29 March 2014 }}</ref> He finished the series with a match winning 117 not out off 120 balls in the first final,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/cbs/engine/match/291371.html |title=1st Final: Australia v India at Sydney, 2&nbsp;March 2008 |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 June 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080622153615/http://content-www.cricinfo.com/cbs/engine/match/291371.html |archive-date=22 June 2008 }}</ref> and 91 runs in the second final.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://content-www.cricinfo.com/cbs/engine/current/match/291372.html |title=2nd Final: Australia v India at Brisbane, 4&nbsp;March 2008 |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=1 June 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516231841/http://content-www.cricinfo.com/cbs/engine/current/match/291372.html |archive-date=16 May 2008 }}</ref> Both the knocks were nominated to be the ODI Batting Performance of the year by ESPNcricinfo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/awards2008/content/story/383924.html|title=One-day international batting: the nominees|date=2 January 2009|work=ESPNcricinfo|language=en|access-date=23 January 2020}}</ref>