Centurion of the Century Tendulkar

 

Indian batting maestro added another feather to his unmatched crown, becoming the first and only man to hit the hundredth century in international cricket as he slammed 114 against Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday.

The cricket world had to wait for more than a year to watch Sachin Tendulkar’s milestone ton. The little master accumulated his previous century on March 12th, 2011, playing a 111-run innings against South Africa in a league match of the ICC World Cup and the world record of 100 centuries eluded him since.
Ironically, Tendulkar, who in his illustrious career spanning over 23 years scored 51 Test and 48 ODI centuries, had not scored an ODI century against Bangladesh before.
Sporting a new hairdo, Tendulkar hit his first ton against Bangladesh and it became a part of history instantly as a unique one. In the previous 11 ODIs against Bangladesh, Sachin’s highest score was 82 back in Colombo in 2004.
Stranded in the nervous nineties of international hundreds, he failed to reach three-figure mark on India’s tour of England, the home series against West Indies and the tour of Australia before finally achieving the feat. He came close on a few occasions in Tests as his highest score in ODIs during this time was 53 against Australia.
The drought spanned 33 innings during which he got out twice in the 90s and passed 50 on eight occasions. He averaged 34 in the Test series in England in July. His highest score was 91 before getting caught leg-before-wicket.
Sachin came within six runs of the cherished ton on November 25 in the third Test against the West Indies. But much to the disappointment of his hometown crowd in Mumbai, he edged the ball to a fielder on 94.
In the first Test against Australia in Melbourne in December, he topped the Indian innings with 73 and he was dismissed on 80 in Sydney.
The master batsman, who made his debut on December 18, 1989, and has played 461 ODIs and 188 Tests so far, showed that he has not lost his penchant of going even higher.

On the day, Sachin took a cautious approach as soon as he walked onto the crease. Aggression was there but it was always in a controlled mode.
He was calculative of his every step, never consuming extra energy while running between the wickets. He hardly missed any line of the ball as Bangladesh bowlers failed to possess the cutting edge in the placid track.
Sachin reached his fifty playing 63 balls and smashed eight boundaries, including a massive six off Shakib Al Hasan in the 17th over.
After digging the platform he gradually went on to hit the bull’s eye, as the leading run scorer in the history of both Test and ODI cricket, achieved the most-coveted ton, taking a single off Shakib Al Hasan.
The historic century came off 138 balls and was studded with 10 fours and a six.
Though the little master seemed to be held back by some nervousness in the nineties but regained his confidence pulling Mashrafe for a four through midwicket. He then concentrated on playing with a straight bat and scored six single to reach the milestone.
However, he hardly celebrated the feat, removing his helmet and looking towards the heavens in his usual fashion. He was trying to conceal his emotions. Playing the only rash shot during his 205 minute stay in the middle, Sachin was caught behind on 114 playing 147 balls.
His innings was embedded with 12 fours and one six. He walked back to the dressing room with modesty and decency, the true landmark of one of the greatest sportspersons.

Source:Daily Sun