Sachin Tendulkar’s name is synonymous with cricketing excellence. He is the only batsman in history to achieve the monumental feat of 100 international centuries, a testament to his unparalleled skill and dedication. His journey from a teenage prodigy to a legendary batsman is marked by a plethora of significant centuries, each telling a story of his evolution and brilliance.
His first Test century, a match-saving 119 against England in 1990 at Old Trafford, Manchester, introduced the world to his talent at the tender age of 17. He then went on to score his maiden ODI century, a composed 110 against Australia in Colombo, 1994, after a patient wait of 79 ODIs.
Tendulkar’s first century on Australian soil came in Perth, a fast and bouncy pitch, where he scored a brilliant 114 against Australia in 1992. This century highlighted his technical prowess and adaptability, showcasing his ability to conquer different bowling attacks and playing conditions.
He etched his name in World Cup history with his first century in the tournament, a magnificent 127 not out against Kenya in Cuttack during the 1996 World Cup. This innings was a display of his power and elegance, further solidifying his status as a global icon.
On September 25, 1998, Tendulkar reached a landmark when he scored his 18th ODI century, surpassing Desmond Haynes’s record of 17 centuries and setting a new world record at the young age of 25. He achieved this milestone in his 191st innings during his 198th match.
Tendulkar continued to break records and inspire awe. In December 2005, he surpassed the legendary Sunil Gavaskar’s record for the most Test centuries, achieving his 35th Test century against Sri Lanka in New Delhi. This milestone cemented his place as the player with the most Test centuries in the history of the game.
In 2010, Tendulkar etched his name into the annals of ODI history by becoming the first player to score a double century, an incredible 200 against South Africa in Gwalior. This historic feat was a testament to his extraordinary stamina and concentration.
The same year, Tendulkar reached another incredible milestone by becoming the first player in history to score 50 Test centuries, achieving this historic feat against South Africa during the first Test in December 2010.
Finally, in 2012, Tendulkar became the first cricketer in history to reach 100 international centuries during an Asia Cup match against Bangladesh. This monumental achievement brought his career full circle, marking his extraordinary journey from a talented young batsman to the greatest batsman of all time.
