Dubai The moment that the whole cricketing world was waiting for ever since Sachin Tendulkar scored his 99th century last year in the World Cup finally arrived yesterday. Turning a delivery from Shakib Al Hassan down to square leg, he reached his 49th One Day International century to add to his 51 Test centuries and become the first batsman to score a century of centuries in the history of the game. As usual he took off his helmet, looked at his bat and then heavenwards.
The whole cricketing world has been waiting for this moment for the last 33 innings from him which had passed without a century. Millions of fans, along with Tendulkar, must have heaved a sigh of a relief as he reached the landmark which will now remain as the toughest and the greatest in world cricket. Like his idol Sunil Gavaskar, who became the first batsman to shatter all the batting records, Tendulkar, too, will sparkle forever as the first batsman to have scored a hundred centuries.
Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur where he achieved the landmark will become a monument of the greatest achievement by a cricketer. The fourth match of the Asia Cup and even the tournament will now be remembered forever for this historic occasion, rather than its results — in yesterday's case a brilliant five-wicket victory for Bangladesh over the mighty India.
Struggle
Thirty-eight-year-old Tendulkar has proved that he is the greatest among all the batsmen through his sheer hard work and determination and will remain an inspiration for all youngsters for years to come. Soon after completing his century when asked what his message to the youngsters who idolise him was, he said: "Enjoy the game and chase your dreams."
As a reporter who has reported his matches from his school days in Mumbai one can rightly say he has enjoyed and played every innings with passion. Ramakant Achrekar, the coach who discovered the talent in Tendulkar once told Gulf News: "What makes Tendulkar different from everyone is his hunger for runs. He hates to get out."
One can very well imagine how painful it must have been for Tendulkar during the past year when his 100th century kept eluding him. The struggle to reach this century made many forget that this run machine is also human. Some even resorted to remark that he should have retired from the game.
On April 24, Tendulkar will turn 39 but the way he has maintained himself makes him good enough for another two years of cricket. Though many have compared him with the greatest a few were sceptical about it. Recently a pacer even remarked that he is scared of genuine fast bowling but Tendulkar never answered them and made his bat do the talking for him.
Clinching the top slot in the tally of runs and centuries he has achieved what no other batsmen had done in the history of the game. The marvel that is Tendulkar will continue to create history as long as he holds the bat. Cricket fans will never be satisfied and will keep demanding more from him. With 49 centuries in one-day cricket, fans will now demand his 50th hundred. It will make him the only batsmen to have scored 50 centuries in both forms of the game. Knowing the hunger in Tendulkar, he may hang up his boots only after achieving that landmark too. Until then, let us all enjoy the greatest centurion of the century.
