As a cricket fan, it’s impossible not to know the name Sachin Tendulkar. The Indian cricketer, who turned 50 on April 24th, 2019, is often regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. His incredible career spanned over two decades and saw him break numerous records and achieve countless milestones. In this article, we’ll take a look back at the life and career of Sachin Tendulkar, from his early beginnings to his impact on Indian cricket and beyond.
Early Life:
- Sachin Tendulkar was born on April 24, 1973 in Mumbai, India.
- His father, Ramesh Tendulkar, was a well-known Marathi novelist, while his mother, Rajni Tendulkar, worked in an insurance company.
- Sachin grew up in a middle-class family in Mumbai and attended Sharadashram Vidyamandir School.
- He showed a keen interest in cricket from a young age and began playing at the age of 11.
Career Beginnings
- Sachin was first noticed by coach Ramakant Achrekar while playing for the school team.
- Achrekar became his coach and trained him rigorously, often taking him to multiple matches in a day and making him practice for hours.
- Sachin’s talent quickly became apparent and he was soon selected to play for Mumbai’s under-15 team at the age of 12.
- He made his first-class debut for Mumbai at the age of 15, scoring a century in his debut match.
- In 1989, Sachin was selected to play for the Indian national team, becoming the youngest Indian player to debut in international cricket at the age of 16.
- He played his first Test match against Pakistan in Karachi in November 1989, and scored 15 runs.
- Sachin’s first ODI (One Day International) century came against Australia in September 1994, where he scored 110 runs.
- He continued to impress with his performance on the field and soon became one of the most sought-after batsmen in the world.
Rise to Fame and Record-Breaking Feats
- Sachin Tendulkar’s rise to fame began in 1989 when he made his debut for the Indian cricket team at the age of just 16 years old.
- In 1990, he scored his first Test century against England at Old Trafford, becoming the second-youngest player to score a Test hundred.
- In 1994, Tendulkar became the first Indian cricketer to score 10,000 runs in One Day Internationals (ODIs).
- He also holds the record for the most runs in both Test cricket and ODI cricket, with 15,921 runs and 18,426 runs, respectively.
- In 1998, Tendulkar scored 1,894 runs in ODIs, which was a record for the most runs scored by a player in a calendar year in ODI cricket at that time.
- Tendulkar has scored 100 international centuries, which is a record that still stands today. He has scored 51 Test centuries and 49 ODI centuries.
- He was a crucial member of the Indian cricket team that won the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, and his performance in the tournament earned him the Player of the Tournament award.
- Tendulkar has also received numerous awards and accolades for his cricketing achievements, including the Arjuna Award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, and the Bharat Ratna, which is India’s highest civilian award.
Memorable Performances in International Cricket
- In 1998, Sachin Tendulkar scored a stunning 143 against Australia in Sharjah to help India qualify for the finals of the Coca-Cola Cup.
- In the same year, he scored an unbeaten 134 against Australia in Sharjah to help India win the final and claim the trophy.
- Sachin’s highest individual score in Test cricket came in 2004, when he scored 248* against Bangladesh in Dhaka.
- In 1999, Sachin scored 140 against Kenya in Bristol in the World Cup, which was his first World Cup century.
- In the 2003 World Cup, Sachin was in fine form, scoring 673 runs in 11 innings, which included a magnificent 98 against Pakistan in Centurion.
- Sachin also played a crucial role in India’s 2011 World Cup triumph. He scored two centuries in the tournament, including a match-winning 114 against Bangladesh in the opening game.
- In 1999, Sachin became the first player to score 50 international centuries when he scored a hundred against South Africa in Johannesburg.
- Sachin is also the only player to have scored 100 international centuries, with a total of 100 international centuries (51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs).
- In 2010, Sachin scored the first double century in ODI cricket history, scoring an unbeaten 200* against South Africa in Gwalior.
Celebrating Sachin Tendulkar’s 50th Birthday
On April 24th, 2019, Sachin Tendulkar turned 50 years old. The cricketing world celebrated the occasion, with fans and fellow players paying tribute to the Master Blaster. Sachin himself marked the occasion by launching a social media campaign called ‘Mission 50’, which aimed to encourage people to do something positive for the environment.
Life Beyond Cricket: Sachin Tendulkar’s Legacy Off the Field
- Sachin Tendulkar is involved in various philanthropic and charitable activities off the field.
- He founded the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation in 2010 to support underprivileged children across India.
- Tendulkar has also been a goodwill ambassador for the UNICEF and has worked towards promoting education and healthcare for children.
- In 2012, he became a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament, and has been actively involved in advocating for sports and youth development.
- Tendulkar has also been associated with various corporate social responsibility initiatives of companies like Coca-Cola, Adidas, and BMW.
- He has also ventured into business and entrepreneurship, with his own line of premium menswear brand called ‘True Blue’ and a chain of restaurants called ‘Sachin’s’.
- Tendulkar has also authored books, including his autobiography “Playing It My Way” and a children’s book series called “Tendulkar’s Diaries”.
- His legacy as a cricketer and a philanthropist has made him a role model for millions of people, not just in India but across the world.
Sachin Tendulkar: The Captain and Mentor
- Sachin Tendulkar was appointed the captain of the Indian cricket team in 1996.
- He led India in 25 Test matches and 73 One Day Internationals (ODIs).
- Under his captaincy, India won the Coca-Cola Cup in 1998 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2002.
- Sachin Tendulkar was also a mentor and a role model for many young cricketers.
- He played a crucial role in grooming the next generation of Indian cricket stars like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravindra Jadeja.
- Tendulkar’s experience and guidance helped these players to develop their skills and become successful cricketers.
- He has also been associated with various cricket academies and organizations to promote cricket and support young talents.
- Tendulkar’s contribution to Indian cricket as a captain and mentor has been immense, and he continues to inspire many young cricketers even after his retirement from the sport.
Sachin Tendulkar’s milestones and notable innings
- Sachin Tendulkar’s first Test century came against England at Old Trafford in 1990. He was just 17 years old at the time.
- In 1998, Tendulkar scored his first double century in international cricket against Australia in a Test match in Sharjah.
- Tendulkar’s highest Test score is 248 not out, which he scored against Bangladesh in 2004.
- In 1996, Tendulkar scored 523 runs in the Cricket World Cup, helping India reach the semi-finals.
- Tendulkar was the leading run-scorer in the 2003 Cricket World Cup, with 673 runs in 11 innings.
- In 2010, Tendulkar became the first player to score a double century in One Day International (ODI) cricket, achieving the feat against South Africa in Gwalior.
- Tendulkar has scored 100 international centuries – 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs – a record that is unlikely to be broken anytime soon.
- Tendulkar is the only player to have scored more than 30,000 runs in international cricket.
- Tendulkar played in six Cricket World Cups for India, winning the tournament in 2011.
- In 2012, Tendulkar became the first batsman to score 100 international centuries, achieving the feat against Bangladesh in an Asia Cup match.
- Tendulkar played his last Test match against the West Indies in Mumbai in November 2013, ending a career that spanned more than two decades.
Stats:
- Holds the record for the most Test runs scored by any player, with 15,921 runs in 200 Test matches
- Holds the record for the most ODI runs scored, with 18,426 runs in 463 matches
- Scored 673 runs in the 2003 World Cup, including two centuries, earning him Player of the Tournament
- Scored his 100th international century in 2012
- Became the first player to score 200 runs in an ODI match in 2010
- Named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1997.