After 23 years of playing one-day cricket, Sachin Tendulkar finally called time on his exceptional career on Sunday. Here’s a recap of 23 memorable moments from the legend’s career.
First fifty: Tendulkar began his ODI career on an inauspicious note, with ducks in his first two innings. His first half-century in one-day internationals came in his ninth innings, against Sri Lanka at Pune on December 5, 1990. Tendulkar made 53 off 41 balls as India chased down 228. Tendulkar was the man of the match.
Partnership with Vinod Kambli: In the second ODI of the 1993 series against England, Tendulkar and Kambli tasted rare success as a pair at the international level. Kambli remained unbeaten on 100 while Tendulkar was undefeated on 82 as India made 223 in 48 overs.
Opening wonder: Opening the batting for the first time at Auckland against New Zealand in March 1994, Tendulkar blasted 82 off 49 balls. He rarely batted down the order after that.
Hundred at last: After a long wait, Tendulkar finally scored his maiden ODI ton at Colombo against Australia in September 1994. He slammed many more hundreds against the same team.
Giving the Aussies a scare: The 1996 World Cup game againstAustralia at Wankhede saw Tendulkar scoring a brilliant 90. India lost but it was a wonderful knock without doubt.
Shane gets a Warn(e)ing: At Kanpur on April 7 1998, Tendulkar slammed 100 off 89 balls with seven sixes. It was a sign of things to come.
The sandstorm knock: Tendulkar famously, and singlehandedly, lifted India into the final of the 1998 Coca Cola Cup at Sharjah with his mesmerizing 143 off 131 balls.
An unforgettable birthday: Tendulkar turned 25 on April 24, 1998 and celebrated it by slamming 134 off 131 balls against Australia in the Sharjah final.
More suffering for Aussies: During the 1998 Wills International quarter-finals at Dhaka, Tendulkar blasted 141 off 128 balls as India won by 44 runs.
Overcoming personal tragedy: Tendulkar lost his father midway through the 1999 World Cup. On his first game after the inconsolable loss, Tendulkar made a wonderful 140 off 101 balls against Kenya.
Demoralising New Zealand: In November 1999, Tendulkar slapped an unbeaten 186 off 150 balls as India amassed 376.
Cheer amidst the gloom: India had a disastrous tour of Australia in 1999-2000. Tendulkar’s 93 in a losing cause against Pakistan at Hobart on January 21 was among the few bright moments.
More brilliance against Pakistan: Tendulkar’s whirlwind 98 off 75 balls at Centurion during the 2003 World Cup is considered among his best. After all, it came against an attack comprising Wasim, Waqar and Shoaib Akhtar
Run out for 99: During a game against South Africa at Belfast in June 2007, Tendulkar was run out for 99 courtesy the Morne van Wyk/ Mark Boucher combo.
Big win Down Under: In the first final of the 2007/08 Commonwealth Series, Tendulkar’s unbeaten 117 guided India to a six-wicket win.
Sealing history: Tendulkar was at his best in the second final of the same series. His sedate 91 helping India win their first ODI title in Australia in 23 years.
The heartbreak hundred: Seldom does a team lose when its premier batsman makes 175. Tendulkar faced this ignominy when his knock went in vain against Australia at Hyderabad in November 2009.
World Cup glory: Playing in his sixth World Cup, Tendulkar finally lifted the coveted trophy as India beat Sri Lanka in the finals at Wankhede Stadium on April 2, 2011.
Hundredth 100: Tendulkar made a painfully slow 114 off 147 balls against Bangladesh in March this year. India lost the game, but Tendulkar’s hundredth 100 was finally done and dusted with.
The final bow: In what turned out to be his final ODI appearance, Tendulkar made 52 in the Asia Cup clash against Pakistan on March 18, 2012. India won the high-scoring game by six wickets.
Bowling hero
Tying it for India:In the first match of the Benson & Hedges World Series in 1991, Tendulkar bowled the last over of the match, conceded five runs and picked up the last wicket of Anderson Cummins to tie the game.
Hero of the Hero Cup: During the semi-final of the 1993 Hero Cup, Tendulkar again bowled the last over. South Africa needed six runs, and while he did not pick up a wicket, Tendulkar conceded only three runs.
Maiden five-wicket haul: In the first match of the 1998 triangular series at Kochi, Tendulkar picked up 5 for 32. His scalps included Michael Bevan, Steve Waugh, Darren Lehmann, Tom Moody and Damien Martyn as India won by 41 wickets.
--By A Cricket Analyst
