Sachin Tendulkar, the master blaster, celebrated his 52nd birthday today, as the cricketing world paid tribute to the legend of the game. On this special occasion, let’s take a look back at five of Sachin Tendulkar's greatest innings in the history of cricket.Â
Maiden Hundred - 119 vs England (Test)
No matter how many centuries you achieve, the first one always holds special significance. For 17-year-old Sachin Tendulkar, his maiden century came after 87 innings, rescuing India with a splendid 119 against England in 1990 at Old Trafford, Manchester. Since then, Sachin has gone on to score 100 international centuries, including a record 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs.
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First Man on the Planet - 200* vs South Africa (ODI)Â
Sachin Tendulkar's legacy in cricket can be divided into two parts breaking existing records and creating new ones. He made history by becoming the first player ever to score a double century in One Day Internationals (ODIs). This milestone came as he scored an unbeaten 200 against South Africa in Gwalior, a moment made even more special by Ravi Shastri's commentary. This knock will forever be etched in cricket history as a groundbreaking achievement.
Man of Words - 242* vs Australia (Test)
This series will always be remembered for Tendulkar's remarkable innings, showcasing his unique skills. Throughout the series against Australia, he was frequently trapped outside the off stump. In response to Australian captain Steve Waugh's declaration that they would continue this strategy against him, Sachin said he wouldn't play any shots on the off side, especially the cover drive. He backed up his words with action, scoring an unbeaten 242 in the first innings of the fourth Test without playing a single shot through the covers region. Who can forget that iconic wagon wheel from that innings?
Desert Storm - 143 vs Australia (ODI)Â
Aggression was redefined by this version of Sachin Tendulkar, who ruled international cricket. During the famous Coca-Cola Cup in Sharjah, India desperately needed runs to qualify for the finals over New Zealand to face Australia again. Chasing a revised target of 276 in 46 overs due to a desert storm, Sachin played a phenomenal knock, scoring 143 runs and leading India to the qualification scenario, which ultimately allowed them to qualify for the finals. This innings of Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is regarded as the greatest ODI knock of the decade.
Historic Knock - 158* vs Australia (Test)
The 1990s were dominated by Australian cricket, with stars like Ricky Ponting, Shane Warne, Glenn Mcgrath and the Waugh brothers. During a three-match Test series in India, Australia entered the subcontinent with confidence and an unbeaten streak. However, Sachin Tendulkar stood firm in defense of India with an iconic innings of 158* at Chepauk against a formidable Shane Warne on a turning pitch. This innings inspired the Indian team to defeat Australia 2-1 in the series and remains a classic in Sachin's illustrious career.
