The anticipation, hype and expectation surrounding Sachin
Tendulkar’s quest for unprecedented 100th international ton was finally
over when the legendary batsman finally reached the unique landmark
with a century against Bangladesh in a Asia Cup match at Sher-e-Bangla
National Cricket Stadium.
It took ‘Master Blaster’ 462 ODIs, 188 Tests and 22 years grueling
journey in international cricket to reach the milestone. Tendulkar who
would turn to 39 in the next month made his debut at the tender age of
16 in 1989. Tendulkar, who established his greatness since his debut against Pakistan had to wait more than one year and 33 innings including Test and ODI to get his 100th international ton after hitting his 99th ton in 2011 during a World Cup group match against South Africa.
Since then, Tendulkar’s much-awaited milestone has become the centre of attention. The three Test series’ he has played have always had talks about the impending ton with the opposition adding to the pressure with mind games. It could have been fitting achievement had he got his ton against archrivals Pakistan in World Cup semi-final. He missed it despite being dropped four times and even the achievement again eluded him in World Cup final.
The expectation got higher as India played the Test against England at Lord’s which was cricket’s elite version’s 2000th match. He missed again while the frustration arose.
Nevertheless, he has come close on a few occasions which have
brought the cricket world to a standstill in readiness. In Australia he
showed the glimpse of his strokeplay but the century eluded him.
Rumours were rife that he was included in Asia Cup squad only to give him another opportunity to hit the milestone. He missed it against Sri Lanka, largely due to his shaky approach but on Friday in front of packed holyday crowd in Mirpur, he did not let the chance go away. He had never hit century against Bangladesh in ODI but along with the monumental achievement, he struck the elusive ton against Bangladesh as well to complete the circle of hitting ODI century against each and every Test nation.
He started with a perfectly-timed cover-drive that indicated a flawless innings is inevitable. Before reaching 80’s he was fluent likewise his old days. Though during the moment between 80 and 100, he was bit nervy, finally reached the cherished destination with a single off Shakib delivery.
The celebration nonetheless was subdued. He took off the helmet, looked at his bat and then heavenwards, probably recalled his late father whom he considered as his biggest inspiration.
Tendulkar, already a legend of the modern era and one of the greats of all time, made 114 off 147 balls with 12 fours and a six, before he was caught behind off seamer Mashrafe Mortaza in the 47th over.
“It has not sunk in yet,” he told the Neo Cricket channel, who are broadcasting the Asia Cup matches.
“I was not thinking about the milestone. The media started all this. In the restaurant, room service, everyone was talking about the 100th hundred,” added the batting maestro who has scored 49 one-day hundreds and 51 centuries in Test matches.
“Doesn’t matter how many hundreds you’ve scored, you still have to put your head down and score for the team. Dreams do come true. I had to wait for one for 22 years (the World Cup),” said Tendulkar who scored 15,470 Test runs and 18, 374 ODI runs.
Rumours were rife that he was included in Asia Cup squad only to give him another opportunity to hit the milestone. He missed it against Sri Lanka, largely due to his shaky approach but on Friday in front of packed holyday crowd in Mirpur, he did not let the chance go away. He had never hit century against Bangladesh in ODI but along with the monumental achievement, he struck the elusive ton against Bangladesh as well to complete the circle of hitting ODI century against each and every Test nation.
He started with a perfectly-timed cover-drive that indicated a flawless innings is inevitable. Before reaching 80’s he was fluent likewise his old days. Though during the moment between 80 and 100, he was bit nervy, finally reached the cherished destination with a single off Shakib delivery.
The celebration nonetheless was subdued. He took off the helmet, looked at his bat and then heavenwards, probably recalled his late father whom he considered as his biggest inspiration.
Tendulkar, already a legend of the modern era and one of the greats of all time, made 114 off 147 balls with 12 fours and a six, before he was caught behind off seamer Mashrafe Mortaza in the 47th over.
“It has not sunk in yet,” he told the Neo Cricket channel, who are broadcasting the Asia Cup matches.
“I was not thinking about the milestone. The media started all this. In the restaurant, room service, everyone was talking about the 100th hundred,” added the batting maestro who has scored 49 one-day hundreds and 51 centuries in Test matches.
“Doesn’t matter how many hundreds you’ve scored, you still have to put your head down and score for the team. Dreams do come true. I had to wait for one for 22 years (the World Cup),” said Tendulkar who scored 15,470 Test runs and 18, 374 ODI runs.
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