Hundred centuries by Sachin & everything in between

Image source -  Unsplash, Image Credits - Samarth Shirke

          India is a country of 1.32 billion people and half of that population dreams to represent Indian cricket team one day. From that large pool of budding cricketers, only a few lucky ones are selected to play for India. But once in a while, a legend is born whose selection inevitable. Talking about legends, the very first name comes into the mind is none other than the “Master Blaster”, Mr Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.
          He was an inborn cricketer. A sixteen-year-old boy usually remains confused about their plans but Sachin was a special kid.  He made his international debut against Pakistan in 1989, at the age of sixteen. Since then he represented India for the next 22 years and achieved many accolades.    

The beginning of being the Great Sachin Tendulkar

Even before stepping into International cricket, he was a known face to all courtesy of the record 664-run partnership between him and his friend Vinod Kambli for their school, Shardashram Vidya Mandir. His childhood coach, Mr Ramakant Achrekar was the man behind Sachin’s grooming as a cricketer. He was only eleven when Ajit Tendulkar, his elder brother took to Achrekar sir to take his first cricket lessons. Achrekar sir soon identified the potential inside Sachin and since then he guided him in every possible way. From the field of Shivaji Park, his journey of becoming a legend was started under the guidance of Achrekar sir.

Image source - Outlook, Image Credits - Outlook Web Bureau

       

Sachin's baby step to International Cricket

Everybody knew about his potential but transforming potential into performance International level is a completely different thing. On his debut match, he managed to score 15 runs out of 24 balls in the first innings and got out to another debutant, Waqar Younis. But those 15 runs were enough to prove his temperament. In the very next match, he scored his first international fifty against a very strong bowling line up of Pakistan that had Imran Khan, Wasim Akram, and Abdul Qadir. This knock proved that he belongs to the level of international cricket.

Glorious 22 years of service

          Off the field, Sachin was very polite but on the field he was very aggressive. His instinct of attacking the bowlers troubled the greatest bowlers of the game as well. So everybody was convinced that getting a century was a matter of time only. In the year 1990, India was playing England at Old Trafford, Manchester and Sachin scored his first international century at the age of seventeen. At that point of time, it was beyond anyone’s imagination that one day this boy will end up scoring 100 centuries in International cricket. His second century came two years later, against Australia. In ODI cricket he scored his first century against Australia, in the year 1994.
          Be it be test, ODIs or even T20s, he adapted with the format of the game very well because he had. That is why he never had to struggle a lot in foreign conditions. he is the only cricketer to play 200 test matches. It does not mean his career graph was very smooth, he had to go through some little rough patches, but he was able to come out victorious in his very unique way.
Who can forget the outstanding knock of 241 against Australia at Sydney Cricket ground!  He did not play a single drive through the off side as he was getting out similarly in previous matches! It shows his mental strength and dedication towards his batting. This is only one example but there is many more.
          He performed consistently throughout his career. Based on the number of centuries scored in 1998 was undoubtedly the best year of his career. He scored a total of 13 centuries in that year. As a result of consistent performances, Sachin was selected for six world cup squads starting from 1992 to 2011.

Image Source - Google, Image Credits - The Hindu

World cup performances

           As far as the form is concerned 2003 world cup will be I the top of the list. He scored 673 runs with a strike rate of 89.3. He scored one century and five half-centuries in that tournament. India should have been the champions of the world cup but unfortunately, India lost the final against Australia. 2011 world cup would be the very satisfying world cup for Sachin because after 28 years India was the champion once again. It was more special because it was his last world cup and every player wanted to win the world cup for him.

Some Interesting statistics about Sachin

          He scored his last and most importantly his 100th century on 16th March, 2012 against Bangladesh. after announcing his retirement from ODI on December 2012 & from T20Is on October 2013, he retired from all forms of cricket on 16th November 2013.        
          Sachin has scored a total of 15921 test runs and 18426 ODI runs in his 22-year long career. He scored 51 Test Centuries (In India – 22, Other countries – 29) and 49 ODI centuries (In India – 20, other countries – 29). He was the first-ever batsman to score a double ton in ODI cricket. That day he made the impossible possible. One interesting fact about him is that he was the victim of nervous nineties for 27 times (10 times in tests and 17 times in ODIs). More precisely he got out at 90 two times, at 91 four times, at 92 two times, at 93 five times, at 94 three times, at 95 two times, at 96 one time, at 97 three times, at 98 two times and at 99 three times. If he had not been got out in the 90s on those occasions, his numbers would have been unreachable.
Click here for the list of hundred centuries
          Everybody is aware of Sachin's batting records but his bowling records can not be neglected. His bowling was much better than a part-timer. He has 46 Test wickets and 154 ODI wickets. Here is one interesting fact - He is the only bowler to defend 6 runs in last over twice. Undoubtedly his contribution with bowling goes in parallel with his batting performances.

Image Credits - Sportstar

        

Stupid Rumours

          There is a common rumour that is whenever Sachin scored a century for India, India lost the game. But statistics do not reflect the same. In 74 occasions India either won the match or it resulted in a draw and only 25 times India lost the match when Sachin scored a century. The statistics prove the importance of those centuries came from his bat.

Sachin the "God of Cricket"

          Sachin's contribution to Indian cricket can not be explained by words. He has inspired thousands of budding cricketers. During most of his playing times, he was the only hope for millions of spectators watching the game. He used to carry 1.2 billion hopes in his shoulders for many years in a row. It is not possible for an ordinary human being. There is a reason for calling him the "God of Cricket".