Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar (born 24 April 1973, Mumbai, India) is a retired Indian cricketer who is widely considered one of the greatest cricket batsmen of all time. Known popularly as the Little Master and the God of Cricket, Tendulkar represented India at international level for 24 years, from 1989 to 2013, accumulating records that remain unbroken as of the time of writing.

Early life and background

Tendulkar was born in the Dadar neighbourhood of Mumbai (then Bombay) to Ramesh Tendulkar, a Marathi novelist, and Rajni Tendulkar. Inspired by his elder brother Ajit, who recognised his talent at a young age, Sachin began serious cricket training under legendary coach Ramakant Achrekar at Shivaji Park. He attended Sharadashram Vidyamandir school, which had a strong cricketing tradition, and quickly established himself as a prodigious batting talent in Mumbai's school and club cricket circuits.

At the age of 14, Tendulkar made his first-class debut for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy in 1988, scoring a half-century. He became one of the youngest players ever to represent India in international cricket.

International cricket career

Test cricket

Tendulkar made his Test cricket debut on 15 November 1989 against Pakistan in Karachi, becoming the youngest Indian cricketer at that time to play a Test match, aged just 16. Over a career spanning 200 Test matches, he accumulated 15,921 runs at an average of approximately 53.78, including 51 centuries — both figures are world records in Test cricket.

His batting was characterised by exceptional technique, a wide range of shots, and the ability to perform consistently under pressure on pitches across the world. Memorable Test innings include his unbeaten 136 against Pakistan in Chennai in 1999, played amid intense political tensions between the two nations, and his 241 not out against Australia in Sydney in 2004, often cited among his finest.

One Day International cricket

In One Day International (ODI) cricket, Tendulkar scored 18,426 runs in 463 matches, another world record, including 49 centuries — again the most by any player in ODI history. He was a pivotal member of India's squad for six ICC Cricket World Cup tournaments, winning the tournament in 2011 on home soil, an achievement he described as the most memorable of his career.

Tendulkar became the first cricketer to score a double century (200 not out) in ODI history, achieving the feat against South Africa in Gwalior in February 2010.

Captaincy

Tendulkar served as captain of the Indian Test team on two separate occasions during the 1990s. His captaincy record was modest, and he was generally regarded as more effective as a player than as a leader. He eventually stepped aside, with the captaincy later taken by other prominent players including Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid.

Retirement

Tendulkar retired from ODI cricket in December 2012 and from all forms of international cricket following his 200th Test match, played in Mumbai against the West Indies in November 2013. His farewell speech at the Wankhede Stadium was widely broadcast and is remembered as an emotional moment in Indian sporting history.

Records and achievements

Tendulkar holds a range of cricketing records that are considered among the most significant in the sport:

• Most runs in Test cricket: 15,921
• Most centuries in Test cricket: 51
• Most runs in ODI cricket: 18,426
• Most centuries in ODI cricket: 49
• First player to score a double century in ODIs
• Only player to complete 100 international centuries (Tests and ODIs combined)

He was named the ICC Cricketer of the Year and featured in the ICC World Test XI and World ODI XI on multiple occasions throughout his career.

Honours and recognition

Tendulkar received the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 2014 — the first sportsperson to receive this award. He had previously been awarded the Padma Shri (1999) and the Padma Vibhushan (2008).

He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2019. In 2012, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, as a nominated member, a position he held for several years.

Tendulkar has also been involved in philanthropic activities through the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, which focuses on education and health initiatives for underprivileged children in India.

Legacy and cultural impact

Few cricketers have had as profound a cultural impact as Tendulkar. In India, he became a national symbol during the 1990s and 2000s, a period when cricket grew enormously in commercial and cultural significance following India's economic liberalisation. His matches routinely drew hundreds of millions of television viewers, and his dismissal during a World Cup match was said to visibly affect public morale across the country.

Tendulkar's influence extended beyond cricket to inspire widespread youth participation in the sport across South Asia. He was the subject of the 2017 biographical documentary film Sachin: A Billion Dreams, which combined archival footage with dramatised sequences to chronicle his life and career.

Sporting analysts and former players, including Brian Lara and Shane Warne, have frequently cited Tendulkar as the greatest batsman they played against or alongside.

Frequently asked questions

Is Sachin Tendulkar the highest run-scorer in international cricket?

Yes. Tendulkar holds the record for the most runs in both Test cricket (15,921) and ODI cricket (18,426), making him the highest run-scorer in international cricket history across formats.

Is Sachin Tendulkar the only cricketer to score 100 international centuries?

Yes. Tendulkar is the only cricketer in history to have scored 100 international centuries across Test matches and One Day Internationals combined, a record that stood unbroken as of the time of writing.

Is Sachin Tendulkar a Bharat Ratna recipient?

Yes. Tendulkar was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2014, becoming the first sportsperson to receive India's highest civilian honour.

Is Sachin Tendulkar still involved in cricket?

After retiring from playing in 2013, Tendulkar has remained involved in cricket in various capacities, including as a mentor and icon for the Mumbai Indians franchise in the Indian Premier League and through various promotional and philanthropic roles.

Is Sachin Tendulkar considered the greatest batsman of all time?

This is a matter of ongoing debate among cricket analysts and fans. Tendulkar is frequently placed at or near the top of such lists, alongside players such as Don Bradman and Brian Lara, though assessments vary depending on the criteria and era considered.