As much as Australia and India were celebrating national milestones, this was also meant to be Sachin’s Day.

It was supposed to be the day India’s greatest batsmen finally scored his landmark 100th international hundred.

But Tendulkar botched his chance, as Australian paceman Peter Siddle turned Indian party-pooper in the fourth Test.

Tendulkar, kitted in pads and protective equipment, sang along as India’s national anthem was sung before the third day’s play at Adelaide Oval.

India marks their Republic Day on January 26, commemorating the adoption of their constitution in 1950 – the same date Australia Day is celebrated.

After the pre-play ceremonies, Tendulkar, on 12 not out, strode onto the sun-baked oval and scratched his guard on an Adelaide pitch tailored for runs.

Surely, Tendulkar had no better chance than this to end a 10-month wait for his 100th international century.

The fairytale plot started on cue.

The Indian maestro clipped his first ball faced on Thursday through mid-wicket for four, a sublime whip of his wrists dispatching a straight Ben Hilfenhaus ball.

The 38-year-old turned his next ball to fine leg for a single: he’s away.

But after cautiously moving to 25, Tendulkar and India’s day of celebration abruptly ended.

Test cricket’s greatest run-scorer played defensively to a Siddle delivery which caught the edge of Tendulkar’s bat.

The nick flew low to second slip, where Ricky Ponting moved forward and snaffled a catch.

Tendulkar instantly walked towards the pavilion, but was told to wait by umpire Aleem Dar, who wanted to check two things – whether the ball carried to Ponting, and if Siddle overstepped the bowling crease.

Replays revealed a matter of centimetres in both: Ponting indeed caught the ball just above the turf, and Siddle’s big left foot was legally grounded behind the popping crease on delivery.

So Tendulkar trudged off seemingly oblivious to the generous applause from the Adelaide crowd – his milestone will have to wait.