On this Day March 16, 2012, India’s legend Sachin Tendulkar became the first cricketer on the planet to reach 100 International Centuries. The Master Blaster achieved this feat in the Asia Cup against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur.
The legacy of Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar made his Test debut in 1989 and achieved his first century against England at Old Trafford, Manchester in 1990. Over the years, he scored centuries against all the Test cricket-playing nations. His centuries have come in 30 different cricket grounds, with 27 of them being scored in venues outside India.
In ODIs, Tendulkar has scored centuries against 11 different opponents. He was the first batsman to score a double century in ODIs, which he scored against South Africa at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium, Gwalior in 2010.
The monumental feat of scoring 100 international centuries was achieved on this day in 2012 when he scored his 49th and final century in ODI cricket against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup. Tendulkar was 38 years old at the time and he had to wait for over a year between his 99th and 100th international ton. His 99th century came against South Africa in Nagpur in the 2011 World Cup.
Despite his remarkable performance, India lost to Bangladesh, who later faced Pakistan in the final. Tendulkar scored 114 runs off 147 balls with 12 fours and one six, helping India to 289/5. Bangladesh chased down the target with four balls to spare, with Shakib Al Hasan’s 49 in 31 balls helping them reach 293/5.
Tendulkar announced his retirement from ODIs in December that year having scored a whopping 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83 in 463 matches. He went on to retire from Tests, and thus international cricket, in 2013 with 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78 in 200 matches. He has scored 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries in his illustrious Test career.
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