West Indies fast bowler Ravi Rampaul says he bowled the best ball of his cricketing career to get rid of Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar during Sunday's World Cup clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium
West Indies fast bowler Ravi Rampaul says he bowled the best ball of his cricketing career to get rid of Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar during Sunday's World Cup clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
Rampaul was drafted into the starting line-up due to the illness to pacer Kemar Roach. He grabbed the opportunity with both hands to get his career-best bowling figures of five for 51.
Rampaul, who made his debut at the World Cup, dismissed Tendulkar in the final ball of his first over. It was a lifter on the top of the off stump and Tendulkar could not handle it. The ball took the edge and wicketkeeper Devon Thomas accepted the offering. Tendulkar walked and the more than 25,000 fans went silent.
"It was the best ball of my cricket career. It was one of those moments in life you dream of. When I saw him walk I felt great. It was an amazing feeling," Rampaul said.
"I wasn't sure how to celebrate. Here was I, in one of the biggest matches of my career, getting the wicket of one of the greatest batsmen. I felt really great to get such a massive breakthrough for the team."
The West Indies however lost the match by 80 runs. The result put India second in the group and the West Indies qualified for the quarter-finals at fourth place. "I was happy to get into the team and play my part. It was very exciting to play in front of such a large crowd on such a big stage," 26-year-old Rampual said.
The West Indies play Pakistan in the first quarter-final in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Wednesday.
