A look at Sachin Tendulkar’s best centuries

On this occasion, let us look at some of the best centuries of the 'Master Blaster'

On this day in 1990, a young Sachin Tendulkar took baby steps towards becoming the future ‘God of Cricket’ by smashing his first-ever international century against England in a Test match at Old Trafford. This was one of Sachin’s 100 centuries that he would accumulate over his two-decade-plus career. On this occasion, let us look at some of the best centuries of the ‘Master Blaster’

114 against Australia in 5th Test, Perth (1992)

One of Tendulkar’s most underrated tons. Tendulkar scored 114 in 161 balls on a bouncy pitch at Perth against a lethal pace attack of  Merv Hughes, Bruce Reid, and Craig McDermott. Though India lost the match and the series, Sachin top-scored for India with 368 runs and two big centuries. 

Source: ICC

127* against Kenya, 1996 Cricket World Cup

This was Sachin’s maiden World Cup century. With this knock consisting of 15 fours and a six, he single-handedly guided India to Kenya’s 200-run target. He would go on to score six WC centuries in total and become tournament’s all-time leading run-scorer. 

Source: Twitter

143 against Australia, Coca-Cola Cup 1998

This knock in 131 balls against a top-class Aussie bowling attack of Shane Warne, Damien Fleming and Michael Kasprowicz is known as the ‘Desert Storm’. Sachin smashed the Aussie bowlers all over Sharjah Park. His knock came in a run-chase of 285 and India fell short of 34 runs despite Sachin taking them to the brink of victory. 

Source: ICC

140 against Kenya, 1999 Cricket World Cup

This was one of the master’s emotional knocks, coming right after his father’s unfortunate demise. He scored it in 101 balls consisting of 16 fours and three sixes, helping India clinch a victory. 

Source: Twitter

193 against England, 3rd Test, Headingley (2002)

Tendulkar’s knock of 193 was a part of century triplet by Rahul Dravid and skipper Sourav Ganguly that took India to a famous series-levelling win on a tough surface at Leeds. He scored it in 330 balls with 19 fours and three sixes. 

Source: ICC

109 against Sri Lanka, second Test, 2005

This was a history-making century for the Master Blaster as he surpassed Indian legend and idol Sunil Gavaskar’s record of 34 Test centuries, slamming his 35th Test ton. India won the match by 188 runs.

Source: ICC

103 against England, first Test (2008)

This century came after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. Playing in Chennai, Sachin scored 103 in 196 balls during a run-chase of 387 runs, helping India win. He dedicated the knock to victims of the terrorist attack in Mumbai. 

Source: Twitter

111 against South Africa, first Test (2010)

This was Tendulkar’s 50th Test century, becoming the first-ever player to do so. South Africa though, won the match. 

Source: ICC

200 against South Africa (2010)

This was a landmark moment in world cricket as what looked like just another Tendulkar century was converted into ODIs first-ever double century against Proteas. 

Source: ICC

114 against Bangladesh (Asia Cup 2012)

This was Sachin’s 49 ODI century and his 100th in international cricket. He ended up with 114 in 147 balls with 12 fours and a six, playing under an immense pressure of reaching the landmark. India lost the match by five wickets. 

Source: ICC

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