Last Updated:
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar struck his maiden international century for India on August 14 during the Manchester Test of the 1990 tour of England.
Sachin Tendulkar is international cricket’s most prolific batter. (AFP Photo)
Today is the 35th anniversary of legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s maiden international century. The maestro smashed the first of his record 100 international hundreds on this day during India’s 1990 tour of England. Only 17 at the time, Tendulkar stamped his authority with a match-saving 119 not out on the final day of the second Test played at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Having vindicated the selectors and made everyone sit up and take notice of his great talent and promise with half-centuries in Faisalabad, Sialkot and Napier during the challenging tours of Pakistan and New Zealand at the start of his career, the baby-faced Tendulkar reached England and finally raised his bat for a three-figure score for India with the most skillful knock in difficult circumstances.
After hitting a free-flowing 68 in the first innings, Tendulkar had confidence under his belt.
However, when the teenager walked in to bat at No.6 on Day 5, the visitors were left struggling at 103/4 and staring at a defeat chasing an imposing 408-run target.
India needed to bat out the fifth day to keep the Englishmen at bay. Coming to their rescue was a teenage prodigy, who played the moving ball with the substance and solidity of a masterful player.
Tendulkar left the ball judiciously and played it late while still exhibiting his range of strokes on the front foot and back foot. Even as India lost two other wickets in quick succession to be reduced to 183 for 6, Tendulkar didn’t cave under pressure and played his natural game in tough conditions, hitting 17 fours during his 189-ball stay.
The young sensation found timely support from the sturdy Manoj Prabhakar, who played out 128 balls for his 67 not out at one end in an unbeaten partnership of 160 runs.
Together, Tendulkar and Prabhakar batted India to safety before the Graham Gooch-led England side shook hands and accepted fate, while also offering Tendulkar a warm applause as he raised his bat and left the field immensely proud and satisfied.
Tendulkar went on to produce 99 more centuries at the international stage in his most glorious 24-year career, finishing, arugably, as the greatest batter to have graced the cricket field.
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses, features, live scores, results, stats and everything that’s cricket from all over the globe. Follow @cricketnext
view comments
Read More
