The Day Sachin Retired from Indian Cricket

THE DAY SACHIN RETIRED FROM INDIAN CRICKET



16TH OF NOVEMBER, 2013 - This is the date most of the Cricket Fans will NEVER forget...atleast Fans of Sachin Tendulkar for sure.


Although there was too much of hype around sachin's retirement, I started watching India's 2nd test match against West Indies just like another test match. I was wondering why people were so crazy about Sachin playing 200th test match. I am a big fan of Sachin Tendulkar too, still I had no feeling that I would not watch him playing anymore matches, probably my heart hasn't realiased that fact.

Match went well, Sachin had fallen short of 26 runs to make to his 52nd Test Century, but made a good knock in his home ground, still I had no hard feelings due to the fact that he wasn't in such a good form in the recent days.

India scored a solid 495 in reply for WI 187 with brilliant knocks from Rohit and Pujara. West Indies started their second innings on Day 2 and ended the day losing 3 early wickets. I started feeling that Sachin would not get a chance to play. But, had a blind belief somewhere in the corner of my mind that Chanderpaul (Another West Indian Brilliant Batsman playing his 150th Test Match) would hold the match with a double century or so.

But, soon after the play started on Day 3, WI tumbled for Indian spinners. Slowly they lost all the wickets. It was on 44th over, WI 9th wicket (Gabriel) has come to crease, everyone in the ground are shouting "Sachinnn...Sachin...". Shami had bowled Gabriel out, ball hit the middle stump......That is the moment, everyone's focus on Sachin Tendulkar....I looked at Sachin Tendulkar standing in the mid off with a cheerful face for India, but with a sad and stressed heart...



I suddenly started realising that Sachin will not play for India or any clubs...thats when I felt that pain and dishearted to digest that fact.

Later, was very very impressed with Sachin's Farewell arranged by BCCI and Mumbai Cricket Association. HATS OFF to Little Master. His Farewell speech has definately made every Indian Cricket Fan's eyes wet...KUDOS Master....We will miss you forever in the Cricket !!

HERE YOU GO...WHAT SACHIN (MASTER BLASTER) SAID IN HIS FAREWELL....



'All my friends, settle down. Let me talk, I'll get more and more emotional.' The crowd goes berserk out there. 'My life, between 22 yards for 24 years, it's hard to believe that the wonderful journey is coming to an end. But I would like to take this opportunity to thank people who have played an important role in my life.

Also for the first time in my life I am carrying this list in my hand to remember all the names. In case I forget someone, I hope you understand. It's getting a little difficult to talk but I'll manage. The most important person in my life, and I've missed a lot since 1999 he passed away, my father. Without his guidance, I don't think I would have been standing here in front of you. He gave me freedom at the age of 11, and he told me, chase your dreams and make sure you don't find shortcuts. The path might be difficult but don't give up, and I've simply followed his instructions. Above all, he told me to be a nice human being which I've continued to do so, I've tried my best. Every time I've done something special, whenever I've shown my bat, it was for my father. So I miss him today.

My mother, I don't how she dealt with such a naughty child like me. I was not easy to manage. She must be extremely patient. For a mother, the most important thing is that her child remains safe and healthy, and fit and that's what she was most bothered about and worried about. She took care of me. For the first 24 years that I've played for India, but even before that, she started praying for me the day I started playing cricket. She just prayed and prayed and prayed and I think her prayers and blessing have given me the strength to go out and perform. So a big thank you to my mother for all the sacrifices.

In my school days, for fours years I stayed with my uncle and aunt because my school was quite far from my home and they treated me like their son. My aunt, after having had a hard day's play, I would be half asleep and she would be feeding me food so that I could go and play again tomorrow. I can't forget these moments, I'm like their son and I am glad that it has continued to be the same way.

My eldest brother Nitin and his family have always encouraged me. My eldest brother doesn't like to talk much. But the one thing he always told is that whatever you do, I know you would give 100% and I have full confidence and faith in you. It is that encouragement that meant a lot to me.

My sister Savita and her family was no different. The first cricket bat of my life was presented to me by my sister and it was a Kashmir Willow bat. But that is when the journey began. She is one of those many who continues to fast when I bat. So thank you very much. Ajit my brother, now what do I talk about him? I don't know really. We've lived this dream together. He was the one who sacrificed his career for my cricket. He spotted the spark in me. It all started from the age of 11, when he took me to Achrekar sir, my coach and from there on my life changed.

You will find this hard to believe that even last night he called me and we were discussing my dismissal. Knowing that there was a remote chance of batting again, but just that the habit which we've developed and the rapport we've developed since my birth, it has continued and it will continue. Maybe even when I am not playing cricket we will still be discussing technique. Various things we agreed upon, my technique and so many technical things which I didn't agree with him, we've had arguments and disagreements. But in the end when I look back at those things, if that hadn't happened in my life I would have been a lesser cricketer.

The most beautiful thing happened to me in 1991 when I met my wife Anjali, Those were special years and it has continued and it will always continue that way. I know Anjali being a doctor, there was a wonderful career in front of her. When we decided to have a family, Anjali took the initiative to step back and say that you continue with your cricket and I'll take the responsibility of the family. Without that I don't think I would have been able to play cricket freely and without any stress. Thanks for bearing with all my fuss, all my frustrations and all sorts of rubbish that I've spoken, I normally do. Thanks for bearing with me and always staying by my side through the ups and downs. You are the best partnership I've had in my life.

Then the two precious diamonds of my life, Sara and Arjun. They've already grown up. My daughter is 16 and my son is 14, time has flown by. I wanted to spend so much time with them on special occasions like their birthdays, annual days, sports days, going on holidays, whatever. I've missed out on all those things. Thanks for your understanding. Both of you have been so, so special to me. You cannot imagine. I promise you, for 14 years and 16 years, I've not spent enough time with both of you. But the next 16 years or even beyond that, everything is for you.

My in-laws have been so, so supportive, loving, caring. I've discussed on various things in life generally with them and taken their advise. You know, it's so important to have a strong family who's always with you guiding you. Before you start clapping, the most important thing they did was allowing me to marry Anjali, so thank you very much.

In the last 24 years that I've played for India I've made new friends and before that I've had friends of my childhood. They all have had terrific contributions. Right from you know, as and when I've called them to come and bowl to me in the nets, they've left all their work aside and come and helped me. Be it joining me on holidays or having discussions on cricket, when I was a little stressed and wanting to find a solution so that I could perform better. All those moments, my friends were with me. Even whenever I was injured I would wake up early in the morning because I could not sleep. I thought my career was over because of injuries. That's when my friends have woken up at 3 AM to drive with me and just make me believe that your career is not over. Life would be incomplete without all those friends. Thanks for being with me.

My cricket career started when I was 11. The turning point of my career was when my brother took me to Achrekar sir, my coach. I was extremely delighted to see him up in the stands. Normally he sits in front of the television and he watches all the games that I played. When I was 11, 12, those were the days where I used to hop back on his scooter and play couple of practice matches a day.

First half of the day I would be batting at Shivaji Park, the second half, some other match at Azad Maidan. Sir would be taking me all over Mumbai to make sure that I got match practice.

On a lighter note, in the last 29 years sir has never ever said 'well played' to me because he thought I would get complacent and I would stop working hard. Maybe he can push his luck and wish me now well done on my career because there are no more matches sir in my life. I would be just witnessing cricket and cricket will always stay in my heart. But you have had an immense contribution in my life. Thank you very much.'



INDIAN CRICKET WILL NEVER BE THE SAME WITHOUT YOU !!!

CRICBUZZ HAS TAKEN AN INITIATIVE TO REMIND SACHIN'S ODI AND TEST CENTURIES BREIFING ABOUT THE MATCH, THANK YOU FOR THAT.

HAVE A LOOK AT HIS ODI CENTURIES...



ODI Centuries by SACHIN TENDULKAR



Hundred No. 1: 110 v Australia, Colombo, September 9 1994. Result: India Won: It took as many as 78 ODI matches for Tendulkar to score his first ODI hundred. But it was a sign of things to come. In the 3rd match of the Singer World Series at the RPS Stadium in Colombo, Tendulkar was up against a fearsome Australian attack comprising of Craig McDermott, Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne, Tendulkar brazenly took the attack to them, smashing 8 fours and 2 massive sixes, both off Warne as he led India to a competitive score. His Man-of-the-Match knock laid the platform for a convincing 31 run win for the Indians.



Hundred No. 2: 115 v New Zealand, Vadodara, 28 October 1994. Result: India Won It was another Man-of-the-Match innings from Sachin Tendulkar that propelled India to a comfortable seven wicket win over New Zealand in the 3rd match of the Wills World Series. Chasing a massive 270, Tendulkar, who was dropped very early in his innings made the Kiwis pay for their folly, blasting 8 fours and 3 sixes to take the hosts home. He was involved in a 144-run 1st wicket partnership with Manoj Prabhakar, setting the tone for another convincing win.



Hundred No. 3: 105 v West Indies, Rajasthan, 11 November 1994. Result: India Won Sachin Tendulkar's patient innings of 105 helped India eke out a 5-run win over West Indies in a tight encounter. It was patient knock by Tendulkar's standards. The knock came from 134 balls and included 10 hits to the fence. He was involved in a 117-run stand for the 2nd wicket with Vinod Kambli after having added 95 runs for the 1st wicket with Ajay Jadeja.



Hundred No. 4: 112* v Sri Lanka, Sharjah, 9 April 1995. Result: India Won Sachin Tendulkar was at his belligerent best, stroking 15 fours and 1 six as India thrashed Sri Lanka by 8 wickets with 101 balls to spare. The Master added 161 runs for the 1st wicket with Manoj Prabhakar as India eased towards a big win. No bowler were spared by Tendulkar on the day, with only Sanath Jayasuriya ending up with somewhat respectable figures.



Hundred No. 5: 127* v Kenya, Cuttack, February 18 1996. Result: India Won Co-hosting the 1996 World Cup, India got off to a perfect start by beating Kenya by 7 wickets. Kenya, playing in a major tournament for the first time seemed to be overawed by the occasion, and were simply no match to the genius of Tendulkar. He stroked 15 fours and 1 six to help his team get off to an ideal start.



Hundred No. 6: 137 v Sri Lanka, Delhi, March 2 1996. Result: Sri Lanka Won Sachin Tendulkar scored his 6th ODI hundred, but it turned out to be his 1st ton in a losing cause. Up against the fearsome and soon to be World Champions, Sri Lanka, India were guilty of starting off slowly. They eventually reached 271, thanks to Tendulkar, who hit 8 fours and 5 sixes during a spectacular knock of 137. He was only dismissed, run-out, in the last over but by then he had been involved in a 175-run 3rd wicket stand with Mohammad Azharuddin, then an Indian record for all wickets. He played his part with the ball as well, but the Indians were helpless in front of the opening assault led by Sanath Jayasuriya and Romesh Kaluwitharana.



Hundred No. 7: 100 v Pakistan, Singapore, 5 April 1996. Result: Pakistan Won Another superb century from Sachin Tendulkar, but once again it was a vain effort as India were humbled by Pakistan at Padang. Tendulkar scored his 7th ODI ton, but there was no real support from the other end. Sachin's knock came from 111 balls, and it included 9 fours and 1 six. The next best score was 41 from Sanjay Manjrekar as India limped to 226/8 in the 48th over before heavens opened up. Chasing a revised target of 187 from 33 overs, Saeed Anwar and Aamer Sohail blasted the Indian bowlers to all parts of the ground to complete the chase in a spectacular manner.



Hundred No. 8: 118 v Pakistan, Sharjah, 15 April 1996. Result: India Won A scintillating 118 from Sachin Tendulkar, his 231-run stand for the 2nd wicket with Navjot Singh Sidhu, then a record partnership for any wicket for India and the eventual total, 305, the first time that India crossed 300 in an ODI match were the cornerstones as Pakistan were well beaten in the league encounter at Sharjah. Tendulkar's knock included 8 fours and 2 sixes as the Pakistan bowlers were hit all around the park, particularly Ata-ur-Rehman. He was to chip in with the ball as well, finishing with 2/40 to complete a Man-of-the-Match performance



Hundred No. 9: 110 v Sri Lanka, Colombo, 28 August 1996. Result: Sri Lanka Won Sachin Tendulkar hit an exact 100, but it turned out to be one in vain as a Sanath Jayasuriya inspired Sri Lanka ran out comfortable victors in the end, by a comprehensive margin of 9 wickets. It was Tendulkar's first hundred as Indian captain, and he added 129 runs for the third wicket with Mohammad Azharuddin. It was a very patient innings though, consuming 138 balls and included 5 fours and 1 six.



Hundred No. 10: 114 v South Africa, Mumbai, 14 December 1996. Result: India Won Mohinder Amarnath's benefit match turned out to be a virtual feast for the Mumbaikars as local boy, Sachin Tendulkar scored his 1st ODI hundred in front of his home crowd. Tendulkar's 114 and his opening stand of 90 runs with Woorkeri Raman set the tone for India as they amassed a massive 267 on the board. Tendulkar's knock included 14 fours and he was particularly severe on the South African pacers. The visitors were no match as they collapsed to 193 all-out, losing by 74 runs in the process.



Hundred No. 11: 104 v Zimbabwe, Benoni, 9 February, 1997. Result: India Won It was not just a must win match for India, they needed to chase down Zimbabwe's 240 in 40.5 overs or less if they were to make it to the finals of the Triangular series in South Africa. It also meant that their hopes rested heavily on Sachin Tendulkar. The man was not going to disappoint the faithfuls, in a blazing innings filled with some authentic shots, Tendulkar smashed 104 from just 97 balls to lead India's reply. The knock included 8 fours and 1 six, and by the time he was dismissed, the platform had been set for a convincing victory.



Hundred No. 12: 117 v New Zealand, Bangalore, 14 May 1997. Result: India Won. It was Tendulkar's night at the Chinnaswamy. Chasing a modest target of 221, Tendulkar was particularly aggressive against New Zealand's opening bowlers before settling down to play a flowing innings. 13 boundaries and 2 sixes were symbolic of the knock, as Tendulkar and Ganguly proceeded to add 169 runs for the 1st wicket. By the time, Tendulkar was eventually dismissed, India were just 5 runs short of the victory target.



Hundred No. 13: 100 v Australia, Kanpur, 7 April 1998. Result: India Won. Sachin Tendulkar was back to his best as he blasted the Australians to all parts of Green Park. Chasing a modest 223, Tendulkar hit 5 fours and 7 sixes on his way to a 89-ball ton. He was in some sublime form, treating the Australian spinners with complete disdain as he added 175 runs for the first wicket with Sourav Ganguly. Not even a mini collapse after his dismissal hurt the Indians as they coasted to an easy win.



Hundred No. 14: 143 v Australia, Sharjah, 22 April 1998. Result: Australia Won. 'Desert Storm' as it is now famously called, the 143 against Australia at Sharjah ranks as one of the best ever Tendulkar knocks in ODIs if not the best. Chasing a target of 285, India needed to score 254 to go past New Zealand and qualify for the finals. A sandstorm stopped play for 25 minutes and India's target was reduced to 276 from 46 overs. India now needed 237 runs to get past New Zealand on NRAJ. Despite losing partners at the other end, Tendulkar motored along, some of his shots were pure delight to one's eyes. Tendulkar's knock included 9 fours and 5 massive sixes, and he single-handedly took India into the final.



Hundred No. 15: 134 v Australia, Sharjah, 24 April 1998. Result: India Won. Tendulkar completed 25 on the day and he celebrated it with yet another fine effort. His 134 laid the platform as India annihilated Australia by a comprehensive 6 wicket margin. Chasing 273 for victory, Tendulkar made light of the early loss of Ganguly as he added 89 runs for the 2nd wicket with Nayan Mongia, sent in as a pinch-hitter. After Mongia's exit, Azharuddin joined Tendulkar and the duo took the match well out of the hands of the Aussies in a stand worth 120 runs. Tendulkar's knock included 12 fours and 3 sixes and by the time he was dismissed, India were on course for a superb victory.



Hundred No. 16: 100 v Kenya, Kolkata, 31 May 1998. Result: India Won. In an uneventful triangular tournament featuring India, Kenya and Bangladesh, Tendulkar lit up Eden Gardens with a splendid hundred in the finals. Chasing a paltry 197, India were in no trouble whatsoever as they cruised to the title in just 35 overs. Sachin's knock included 13 fours. He was involved in an unbroken stand worth 120 runs with Ajay Jadeja.



Hundred No. 17: 128 v Sri Lanka, Colombo, 7 July 1998. Result: India Won. Tendulkar's glorious 1998 continued and so did India's title winning streak as they beat hosts Sri Lanka to clinch the Singer-Akai Nidahas trophy by a slender margin of 6 runs. Tendulkar was involved in a 252-run stand for the opening wicket, then a world record for the opening stand. Tendulkar was the aggressor of the two, scoring 128 from just 131 balls. The knock included 8 fours and 2 sixes as the pair hoisted India to 307/6. Sri Lanka fought gallantly but fell short by just 6 runs as they were bowled out for 301.



Hundred No. 18: 127* v Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, 26 September 1998. Result: India Won. Chasing a modest 214, Tendulkar led the chase from the front with a brutal innings of 127 as India completed a comfortable 8 wicket win. Tendulkar's knock included 13 fours and 1 six and he added 180 runs for the second wicket with Rahul Dravid as India cruised home with more than 7 overs to spare



Hundred No. 19: 141 v Australia, Dhaka, 28 October 1998. Result: India Won. It was Sachin's match completely. First he rescued India from a poor 8/2 to a more than comfortable 307/8 at the end of their 50 overs. Tendulkar was involved in two huge partnerships, first he added 140 runs for the third wicket with Rahul Dravid to lift the team after two early blows. He then added 132 runs for the 4th wicket with Ajay Jadeja to take India from a comfortable position to a one of strength. Tendulkar's innings contained as many as 13 fours and 3 massive sixes. His task was not yet over, he returned to finish with figures of 4/38 with the ball as India completed a 44-run victory



ODI Hundred No. 20: 118* v Zimbabwe, Sharjah, 8 November 1998. Result: India Won. On this day, Tendulkar became the first batsman to score 20 ODI hundreds. He had also scored 16 Test hundreds, making his tally of 36 international hundreds the most by any batsman, going past Sunil Gavaskar's tally of 35 international hundreds. After the Indian spin troika had reduced Zimbabwe to a poor 196, the chase was certainly an easy task for the Indians. Tendulkar led from the front, clouting 14 fours and 2 sixes as the Indian waltzed past the target in the 41st over.



ODI Hundred No. 21: 124* v Zimbabwe, Sharjah, 13 November 1998. Result: India Won. It was touted as a revenge game. Henry Olonga had dismissed Sachin Tendulkar cheaply and had starred in Zimbabwe's victory, a couple of days ago. In the final though, there was no place to hide for the Zimbabwean pacer. After the bowlers had kept Zimbabwe down to just 196, Tendulkar tore apart their bowlers in some style, hitting 12 fours and 6 sixes as India chased down the target in just 30 overs. Tendulkar finished the year on a high, aggregating 1894 runs with as many as 9 centuries. The final had turned out to be one of the most lop-sided encounters as India reached home with all 10 wickets in hand.



ODI Hundred No. 22: 140* v Kenya, Bristol, 23 May 1999. Result: India Won. One of the most emotional centuries, Tendulkar returned from his father's funeral to stroke a magnificent 140 against Kenya in the 1999 World Cup held in England. While the opposition was modest, the timing of the event took centre-stage. His knock included 16 fours and 3 sixes as he pulverized the Kenyans to all parts of the ground. Tendulkar added 237 runs for the 3rd wicket with Rahul Dravid (then a world record for most runs in a partnership in a World Cup game, only to be broken three days later by Saurav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid). Tendulkar dedicated the knock in memory of his father.



Hundred No. 23: 120 v Sri Lanka, Colombo, 29 August 1999. Result: India Won. A superb knock of 120 from Sachin Tendulkar earned India a pyrrhic victory. Tendulkar's knock and his superb 3rd wicket stand worth 127 runs for the 3rd wicket helped India set up an imposing 296 on the board. Tendulkar's knock included 11 fours and 2 sixes. While the target was easily out of Sri Lanka's reach, they did manage to get past the score needed to help them qualify through to the finals, and in the process knocked India out of contention.



ODI Hundred No. 24: 186* v New Zealand, Hyderabad, 8 November 1999. Result: India Won.Sometimes, even someone as great as Tendulkar makes hay on flat tracks and small outfields. This was one such game as Tendulkar combined with Rahul Dravid to stun the Kiwis into oblivion. In the process of his 186, Tendulkar went past Ganguly's 183 to emerge as the highest individual scorer for India in ODI cricket. The pair also added 331 runs for the 2nd wicket, still the best partnership for any wicket in ODI cricket. That, he was the Indian captain just added the icing on the cake.



ODI Hundred No. 25: 122 v South Africa, Vadodara, 17 March 2000. Result: India Won. Having given up captaincy, Sachin Tendulkar could just concentrate on his natural game and this gave him the freedom as he returned to his run scoring ways. Chasing a daunting 283, Tendulkar played second fiddle to Ganguly during the opening partnership of 153, Tendulkar opened up to complete yet another ODI ton, his 2nd against South Africa. The knock included 12 fours as he guided India to a series victory with one match of the 5-match series still remaining. It was some solace to India, after all the torment in Australia and the preceding Test series against South Africa.



ODI Hundred No. 26: 101 v Sri Lanka, Sharjah, 20 October 2000.Result: Sri Lanka Won. It was one of the most circumspect ODI innings ever played by Sachin Tendulkar. His 26th ODI ton, coming in 140 balls included just 3 fours and 1 six. He was lucky to be dropped very early into his innings, but having lost four partners with the score reading 102, he decided to drop anchor. Tendulkar added 100 runs for the 5th wicket with Robin Singh, but his run-out meant that India failed to cash in during the slog overs. The Indians failed to control the wet ball (due to dew) as Russell Arnold helped Sri Lanka clinch an easy win.



ODI Hundred No. 27: 146 v Zimbabwe, Jodhpur, 8 December 2000. Result: Zimbabwe Won. Zimbabwe stole the thunder from Tendulkar by stealing victory right under the noses of the Indians. Tendulkar made light of a middle order failure as he stroked 15 fours and 2 sixes on his way to a quite maginficent 146. While he delighted the Jodhpur crowd, who were watching their first ODI, disappointment was in store for them as the visitors eked out a 1 wicket win in the final over of the match.



ODI Hundred No. 28: 139 v Australia, Indore, 31 March 2001. Result: India Won. It was a special innings for Sachin Tendulkar. Not only did he bring up yet another ton, he also became the first batsman in the history of ODI cricket to complete 10,000 ODI runs. The game was an one-sided affair though, the Australians, chasing 300 never got going and were bundled out for just 181. Tendulkar was the hero once again, slamming 19 fours in his knock. He was also involved in a 199 run stand for the second wicket with VVS Laxman.



ODI Hundred No. 29: 122* v West Indies, Harare, 4 July 2001. Result: India Won. Tendulkar's brilliance came to the fore once again as India beat West Indies by a comfortable margin during the tri-nation series in Zimbabwe. Chasing a target of 230, India coasted home thanks to Tendulkar's superbly paced knock. The innings consisted of 12 fours and 1 six. The result was never in doubt once Tendulkar added 133 runs for the opening wicket with Ganguly.



ODI Hundred No. 30: 101 v South Africa, Johannesburg, 5 October 2001. Result: South Africa Won. Tendulkar's first hundred in South Africa, but it ended in a defeat as India's former coach, Gary Kirsten guided the hosts to a convincing victory. Tendulkar had added 193 runs for the first wicket with Ganguly, but the rest of the middle order failed to take full advantage. On a belter of a wicket, Tendulkar's fine anchoring knock went in vain.



ODI Hundred No. 31: 146 v Kenya, Paarl, 24 October 2001. Result: India Won. Tendulkar added 258 runs with Saurav Ganguly, their best ever opening stand as India demolished Kenya by 186 runs in a lop-sided encounter during the tri-nation series in South Africa. Tendulkar's knock included 17 fours.



ODI Hundred No. 32: 105* v England, Chester-le-Street, 4 July 2002. No Result. Tendulkar scored his maiden ODI hundred against England, but rain had the last laugh as the Natwest tri-series match was washed out. Tendulkar, batting in the middle order came to the crease with his side wobbling and was left undefeated at the end of the 50 overs. His knock is particularly noteworthy for his innovative hitting towards the latter part of the innings. Tendulkar hit 8 fours and 1 six and added 169 runs for the 4th wicket with Rahul Dravid.



ODI Hundred No. 33: 113 v Sri Lanka, Bristol, 11 July 2002. Result: India Won. One of Tendulkar's best ever ODI knocks in England, Tendulkar vanquished the Lions in a breath-taking display of stroke making. No bowler was left unpunished as Tendulkar milked a superb 113 from just 102 balls. The knock consisted of 12 fours and 1 massive six.



ODI Hundred No. 34: 152 v Namibia, Pietermaritzburg, 23 February, 2003. Result: India Won.Tendulkar's highest ever score in a World Cup match. The knock pales in significance as it came against a modest opposition and on a flat bed of a track. Still, Tendulkar made most of the opportunity and continued on his hot streak right until the final of the tournament.



ODI Hundred No. 35: 100 v Australia, Gwalior, 26 October 2003. Result: India Won. A sedate hundred by Tendulkar's standards, the Master laid the platform for an easy victory for the Indians. His knock included 9 fours and 1 six and he was involved in a 190-run stand for the 2nd wicket with VVS Laxman.



ODI Hundred No. 36: 102 v New Zealand, Hyderabad, 15 November 2003. Result: India Won.Another no-contest, particularly after Tendulkar had blasted a century from just 97 balls. He was completely overshadowed by his junior partner, Virender Sehwag as the duo added 182 runs for the 1st wicket. Dravid boosted the score further, scoring the 2nd fastest fifty ever by an Indian as the hosts racked up 353/5.



ODI Hundred No. 37: 141 v Pakistan, Rawalpindi, 16 March 2004. Result: Pakistan Won. One of the best knocks ever played, Tendulkar nearly guided India to a stunning victory, only for the lower order failing to complete the task. This was Tendulkar's first ever ODI ton in Pakistan, and in the process he became the first player to cross 13,000 ODI runs. Chasing 330, India were well led by the Master as he made light of wickets falling at the other end. 17 fours and 1 six came from his bat as he kept the asking rate in check. His dismissal, caught in the deep off Shoib Malik signalled the end of the Indian challenge, something that one has got pretty used to.



ODI Hundred No. 38: 123 v Pakistan, Ahmedabad, 12 April 2005. Result: Pakistan Won. Tendulkar's masterclass at the Motera was not enough as Inzamam ul Haq inspired Pakistan to a thrilling victory. In an innings that consisted of 12 fours and 2 sixes, Tendulkar added 129 runs for the second wicket with MS Dhoni as India racked up 315 on the board.



ODI Hundred No. 39: 100 v Pakistan, Peshawar, 6 February 2006. Result: Pakistan Won. Tendulkar's first ODI ton after making a succesful comeback post surgery for tennis elbow, his innings of 100 went in vain after the match was decided on the D/L method, handing Pakistan a win by 7 runs. A patient innings by his standards, Tendulkar's knock included 10 fours and 1 six as he let his fellow partners dominate partnerships.



ODI Hundred No. 40: 141* v West Indies, Kuala Lampur, 14 September 2006. Result: West Indies won. Another knock in a losing cause, Sachin Tendulkar was once again denied by rain and D/L calculations. On a tough track, particulary for the right-handers, with the ball keeping alarmingly low at times, Tendulkar prospered to remain unbeaten on 141. The knock consisted of 13 fours and 5 sixes. It was his first hundred after yet another return following shoulder and elbow injury, Tendulkar said that he would remember it as a 'special' hundred because he had to overcome the pitch and his injuries.



ODI Hundred No. 41: 100* v West Indies, Vadodara, 31 January 2007. Result: India Won. In a virtual run-feast, Tendulkar batted in the middle order and still plundered a century from just 76 balls. His knock included 10 fours and 1 six as West Indies were consigned to their 2nd biggest defeat in terms of runs



ODI Hundred No. 42: 117* v Australia, Sydney, 2 March 2008. Result: India Won. After having been dismissed 6 times in the nineties since the last century, Sachin Tendulkar put aside the nervous nineties tag to complete a glorious hundred which helped India go 1-0 up in the best of three finals of the CB series. Often blamed for not turning up on the big occassion, Tendulkar firmly shut everyone's mouth in the course of a sensational knock as India chased down a victory target of 240. Tendulkar's innings consisted of 10 fours and he added 123 runs for the 4th wicket with Rohit Sharma.



ODI Hundred No. 43: 163* v New Zealand, Christchurch, 8 March 2009. Result: India Won. On tiny boundaries at the AMi Stadium, Tendulkar rolled back a few years as he pulled, drove, swept and paddled his way to a fine 163. A double century was on the cards but he was forced to retire hurt with 5 overs still in the bank. The knock coming from 133 balls, included 16 hits to the fence and 5 massive sixes.



ODI Hundred No. 44: 138 v Sri Lanka, Colombo, 14 September 2009. Result: India Won. Tendulkar's knock in the finals of the Compaq Cup will be remembered as the first match where he took the aid of a runner in his career. Tendulkar shared vital stands with Dravid, Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh to power India towards a massive score. His knock was punctuated with 10 fours and 1 huge six.



ODI Hundred No. 45: 175 v Australia, Hyderabad, 5 November 2009. Result : Australia Won. In a dramatic match, Tendulkar's dismissal with 18 runs needed off 17 balls caused India's melt-down. Chasing 351 for an improbable victory, Tendulkar kept India afloat during the chase despite losing partners constantly. It was a special innings a sort of innings only a player like Tendulkar could have played. With him out in the middle, it always looked like India would cross the line only for them to choke after his exit. For the record his knock was the 3rd highest individual score in a losing effort.



ODI Hundred No. 46: 200* v South Africa, Gwalior, 24 February, 2010. Result: India Won. If there was one batsman who could breach the 200 mark, it had to be Sachin Tendulkar. Having come close on a couple of occassions, he finally became the first man on the planet to score a double century in an ODI encounter. It was fitting that bit came against an excellent bowling attack, anything less would have surely been degraded. Everyone else paled in comparision to Sachin, KKD Karthik hit 79 and MSD blasted a quickfire 68, but they were just mere onlookers as history was being created at the other end. Exactly half of Sachin's runs came through fours and add another 3 sixes, one would realise the effort of the 36-year-old man



ODI Hundred No. 47: 120 v England, Bangalore, 27 February 2011. Match Tied. The World Cup usually brings the best out of Sachin Tendulkar and the 2011 edition was no different. It was yet another massive effort from the master-blaster with James Anderson, one of the the bowlers who have troubled him the most being at the receiving end. The Chinnawamy resembled a cauldron as Tendulkar treated the fans to a superb display of stroke-making. His knock included 10 fours and 5 massive sixes.



ODI Hundred No. 48: 111 v South Africa, Nagpur, 12 March 2011. Result: South Africa Won.Sachin Tendulkar set the tone for yet another ballistic finish before India shockingly collapsed once again after his dismissal. A score around 350 was almost a certainty with Tendulkar out in the middle, but India stuttered to lose their last 9 wickets for just 29 runs to be bowled out for 296. Sachin though batted in a supreme fashion, hitting 8 fours and 3 sixes to register his 2nd century of the tournament



ODI Hundred No. 49: 114 v Bangladesh, Dhaka, 16 March 2012. Result: Bangladesh Won. After an agonising wait which lasted almost a year, Tendulkar finally scored his 100th international hundred during the Asia Cup, the first man on the planet to do so. It was a bitter-sweet moment though, while Tendulkar did complete his ton of tons, India went on lose the match to Bangladesh. It wasn't the greatest of knocks from Sachin either, he seemed to slow down as he inched closer towards the elusive three figure mark and it cost his team in the end. It was also Tendulkar's 49th and last century in ODI cricket, he announced his retirement from the shorter format of the game at the end of the tournament.



*COURTESY : CRICBUZZ



TOTAL CENTURIES - 49



TOTAL CENTURIES IN THE WINNING CAUSE - 33



TOTAL CENTURIES IN THE LOSING CAUSE - 14



TOTAL CENTURIES (NO RESULT) - 2



YOU WILL BE MISSED SACHIN!!

STAY TUNED FOR TEST CENTURIES.....

CHEERS,SESHA SAI VEMURU
Full Post