Dhaka: Many people say that age is just a number. As Sachin Tendulkar said last time when he turned 50, ‘This is the only 50 that doesn’t feel like 50 to me.’ After a year, the number stands at 51. The number is unique not only to Sachin, but to world cricket. Because no one else has 51 centuries. So the number ’51’ is supposed to be different for Sachin Tendulkar.
Tendulkar’s journey to 51 began in 1989, almost 9 months after his Test debut. 11 August 1990 against England at Old Trafford. Scored another 50 centuries in the next 10 years. On the other hand, he has reached three figures 49 times in ODIs as well. All in all, 100 to 100 in the international arena.
In all, he played 664 matches and scored 34 thousand 357 runs. He has more than 30 thousand runs and more than 200 wickets in all formats of cricket. Maximum 15 thousand 921 runs in Test, maximum 18 thousand 426 runs in ODI, maximum 200 Test and 463 ODI match records. Cricket analysts say that these records of Sachin will be immortal.
He is also the pioneer of double centuries in ODIs. He scored an unbeaten 200 off 147 balls against South Africa at Gwalior on 24 February 2010. Among these, the cricketer’s son got the best achievement of his life. From 1992 to 2007, he did not get a trophy despite playing five consecutive World Cups. In 2011, he lifted the golden trophy by defeating Sri Lanka in the final held at his home ground, Wankhede Stadium.
Sachin was also the captain. From 1996, his new identity is Captain. He led in 73 ODIs and 25 Tests. However, he cannot be called that successful there. 23 wins in ODIs and success in Tests in just four matches. His captaincy ended in 2000 after four years.
The international career that started in November ended after 24 years in the same month. He played the last match at home against the West Indies in November 2013. He played a sparkling innings of 74 runs at Wankhede that day.
MTI
