It did not take much for the cricket pundits to spot a genius in Sachin Tendulkar after he made his international debut in a Test match in Karachi on Nov 15, 1989. He was 16 then. More than two decades later, he has gone on to become one of the greatest batsmen the world will ever see.
Twenty-three years, one month, and eight days from his debut, the five-feet-five-inch. Cricketing genius has called time on a glittering one-day career. With 18,426 runs from 463 matches at an average of 44.83, Tendulkar has most batting records under his belt in the 50-over format as also in Tests.
He holds the record for the maximum number of appearances and is the highest run-getter and century-maker in both versions. He has turned out in six World Cups at a stretch. Playing a key role in winning the title in 2011 and finishing runners-up in 2003.
The ‘Liitle Master’, as he is often called, is the only man to hit 100 centuries. 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs. And also the first man to score a double-century in the 50-over format.
However, it was not all smooth sailing for the champion batsman in his initial ODIs. It took him all of five years and 78 matches to score his maiden hundred.
