Today in History: Sachin Tendulkar was born: 10 records held by The Little Master
The Little Master enjoyed a prolific international career that spanned 24 years and saw him rack up an astonishing 19 world records.
A man who would go on to become the greatest cricketer of all time, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, was born on 24 April, 1973, in the city of Bombay (now Mumbai) and would acquire the nickname ‘The Little Master’ as a result of his diminutive stature and prolific run-scoring record.
He made his test debut on November 15, 1989, in a test match against Pakistan in Karachi, Pakistan at the tender age of 16 years and 205 days.
He made his one-day international (ODI) debut a month later, also against Pakistan.
Despite struggling to get going in the series against Pakistan, Tendulkar’s performances naturally improved as he gradually began to make more appearances for his country.
He would score the first of his 51 test centuries against England at Old Trafford in an innings that saved India from certain defeat in 1990, becoming the second-youngest centurion in test cricket.
The first of his 49 ODI centuries would however have to wait a couple of years until an ODI against Australia in 1994. Tendulkar had to wait through 78 matches to score his first ODI ton.
Tendulkar would go on to become not only one of the most worshipped cricketers of all time, but also an amazing ambassador for the sport.
One very rarely saw Tendulkar lose his cool on or off the pitch, regardless of whatever came his way. He was always a true gentleman towards any other cricketer, and never denied his fans the opportunity to meet him in person.
Tendulkar fittingly retired from ODI cricket on March 18, 2012, against none other than his initial opponents, Pakistan.
He was ranked eighth in a poll conducted by Outlook magazine in partnership with CNN-IBN and The History Channel in 2012.
In honour of a career that defied the laws of cricket physics, we have chosen 10 of his 19 world records:
1. Most ODI runs made in a calendar year
• 1 894 (1998 )
2. Most Man of the Match Awards in an ODI career
• 62 (18 December 1989 to 18 March 2012)
3. Most runs made in a single ICC Cricket World Cup tournament
• 673 (2003 ICC Cricket World Cup in South Africa)
4. Most runs made in an ICC Cricket World Cup career
• 2 278 in 44 innings (22 February 1992 to 2 April 2011)
5. Most test matches played in a career
• 200 (15 November 1989 to 14 November 2013)
6. Most international centuries in a career
• 100 (51 test centuries, 49 ODI centuries)
7. First player to be given out by third umpire
• Given run out against South Africa on 14 November 1992
8. Most matches played in an ODI career
• 463 (18 December 1989 to 18 March 2012)
9. Most runs made in an ODI career
• 18 426 (18 December 1989 to 18 March 2012)
10. Most runs made in a test career
• 15 921 (15 November 1989 to 14 November 2013)
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