Sachin Tendulkar was a truly phenomenal cricket player, blessed with sublime skills and an unrelenting will to win.
In a remarkable career, he cemented his status as one of the greatest to ever play the game.
Having amassed a plethora of world records in both Test and ODI cricket, including being the highest run-scorer in both formats, as well as being the only batsman to score 100 international centuries, the Indian icon has earned the respect of fans around the globe.
And with that in mind, we’re looking back at five of his greatest moments.
1) The Desert Storm: Back-to-back centuries against Australia in the 1997–98 Coca-Cola Cup
It seemed like an uphill climb for India, when they faced Australia at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Their opposition had hit 284, to put their rivals under pressure in the UAE.
However, when his country needed him most, Sachin Tendulkar stepped up to the plate, producing a mesmerising performance to leave the world in awe.
Rendering the Aussies stunned, ‘The Bomber from Bombay’, oozed class, battling off a literal desert storm as he showcased his tremendous batting skills, scoring an astonishing 143.
The showing shocked his rival fans, and left Shane Warne claiming he still suffers nightmares from what the athlete did in that tournament.
This set the wheels in motion for India to win the whole competition.
2) Demolition at Centurion: 98 runs in a monster grudge match with Pakistan in the 2003 World Cup
From Real Madrid vs Barcelona, to The Green Bay Packers vs The Chicago Bears, there are some rivalries that make for can’t miss television, and it’s fair to say India vs Pakistan is right up there with the best of them.
In 2003, the two sides faced off at the World Cup, with cricket enthusiasts around the globe, watching on the edge of their seats.
At the time, Pakistan had a terrifying bowling line-up, spearheaded by fast bowler, Shoaib ‘Rawalpindi Express’ Akhtar, a man capable of rendering any normal batsman terrified. However, even he was no match for ‘The Little Master’, with the star of the show, scoring a whopping 98 runs in 75 balls.
3) Sachin Tendulkar becomes the first man to score a double century In ODI against South Africa in 2010
There are very few athletes who optimise the adage, ‘Records are meant to be broken’, more so than Tendulkar. On a day he’ll never forget, in front of his adoring people in Gawilar, the all-time great put on yet another masterclass to write another scintillating chapter of his already magnificent story.
4) Sachin Tendulkar plays his first match as an opener in 1994 in New Zealand
On March 27, 1994, the landscape of cricket changed forever, with the world getting an insight into just how brilliant Tendulkar could be. Despite debuting in 1989, ‘The Master Blaster’ had to wait a long five years for his opportunity. But when it came, the sporting hero delivered.
After impressing Mohammad Azharuddin, Tendulkar got his shot against New Zealand, and it’s fair to say he took full advantage, scoring 82 runs in 49 balls. And the rest, as they say, is history.
5) Sachin Tendulkar shines in the 2011 World Cup Final
Every cricket fan dreams of watching their country win the ODI World Cup. And in 2011, Tendulkar made that fantasy a reality for millions. After 21 years of hard work and sacrifice, the cricketing genius reached his destiny, with his people piling into the streets to celebrate a truly magical sporting moment.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
