The Impeccable Journey Of Master Blaster

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Beneath the helmet, under that curly hair, inside the cranium, there is something we don't know, something beyond scientific measure. Something that allows him to soar, to roam a territory of sport that, forget us, even those who are gifted enough to play alongside him cannot even fathom. When he goes out to bat, people switch on their TV sets and switch off their lives.

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar (born 24 April 1973), often referred to as The Little Master or The Master Blaster, is an Indian cricketer widely regarded as the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. His batting is based on the purest principles: perfect balance, economy of movement, precision in stroke-making, and anticipation.

Sachin Tendulkar is undoubtedly India's most famous cricketer and arguably the greatest cricket player of the current generation. He made his debut at the age of 16 (in 1989) and will play his last match on 14 Nov 2013.

Cricket is a religion in India, and Sachin is the god. While critics believe his best years are past him (which is only natural in a 21-year career), he continues to own almost every batting record in the sport. He also possesses an impeccable track record for his behavior off the field, which is refreshing in this era of professional sport.

Edited by -Amanat- - 11 years ago

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AK3

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Representing John Bright Cricket Club in Bombay's premier club cricket tournament, the Kanga League, and later went on to play for the Cricket Club of India.

Scored a century in every innings he played in in 1988.

Was involved in an unbroken 664-run partnership in a Lord Harris Shield inter-school game against Anjuman-E-Islam High School in 1988 with his friend & team mate Vinod Kambli. Tendulkar scored 326 (not out) in this innings and over a thousand runs in the tournament. (Record partnership in any form of cricket until 2006).

Represented Mumbai, Maharashtra, India in the Ranji Trophy at the tender age of 14 (1987) but was not selected in Playing XI for any match.

Made his debut at 15 years and 232 days against Gujarat
and scored 100 not out (youngest Indian to score a debut century) - Ranji Trophy.
Also scored centuries in his debut in Deodhar and Dileep trophies.
First overseas player to play for Yorkshire at the age of 19.

International Career:

Made his Test debut against Pakistan in Karachi in November 1989 aged just 16 years and 223 days.
Scored his first ODI century on 9 September 1994 against Australia in Sri Lanka at Colombo. It had taken him 79 ODIs to score a century.

Batting Statistics:

Look at the number of matches played by the guy. Look at the 100 centuries scored by him. Look at the number of catches that prove that apart from being the best batsman in the world, he is also an excellent fielder. 👏

Edited by -Amanat- - 11 years ago

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AK3

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Highest run-getter in test matches (15,837 as on 3 May 2013).

Highest run-getter in ODIs (18,426).

15,310 of his runs came while opening the innings with the aid of 45 centuries and 75 fifties in 340 innings- most by an opener.

Most number of centuries in Test matches - 51.

Most number of centuries in ODIs - 49.

Most number of man of the match awards (62) in the ODIs.

Most number of man of the series awards (17) in ODIs.

Best average for man of the matches in ODIs.

First cricketer to reach 10,000-11,000-12,000-13,000-14,000-15,000-16,000-17,000-18,000 runs in the ODIs.

Only player ever to cross the 14,000-15,000-16,000-17,000 and 18,000 run marks in ODIs.

He is the highest run scorer in World Cups (2,278 at an average of 56.95)
Most number of the man of the match awards in World cups.

Most number of runs in the 1996 World cup - 523 runs at an average of 87.16.

Most number of runs in the 2003 World cup - 673 runs in 2003 Cricket World Cup, highest by any player in a single Cricket World Cup.

Most number of Fifties in ODIs - 96.

Highest number of 50+ scores in ODI's - 145 (49 Centuries and 96 Fifties).

First player to have scored over 100 innings of 50+ runs in ODIs.

Appeared in most number of tests - 193.

Appeared in most number of ODIs - 463.

First player to score 200 runs in an ODI.

Tendulkar top-scored for India on 129 occasions - most such occasions for any player in ODIs.

He was the first players to complete the all-round treble of 10000 runs, 100 wickets and 100 catches in ODIs.

Is the only player to have made three scores of 175 or more in ODIs.

Is the only player with five scores of 150 or more in ODIs.

Holds the record for scoring 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year on most occasions. He did so seven times - 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2007.

Tendulkar has scored over 1,000 ODI runs against all major Cricketing nations.

Has played ODIs with 866 players (teammates and opponents) - most for any player in ODI history.

He has most scores in 90s: 18 (including one not out innings).

He was involved in 99 century partnerships - most by any player.

Tendulkar was the first batsman to score over 3,000 runs against an opponent (3,077 runs against Australia).Since then he has also done this against Sri Lanka (3,113 runs).

Tendulkar was the fastest to reach 10,000 runs taking 259 innings and has the highest batting average among batsmen with over 10,000 ODI runs.

Tendulkar is the only Indian to score a century on ODI captaincy debut (110 v Sri Lanka at Colombo RPS on 28 August 1996).

Tendulkar was the first Indian player to score a century and capture four wickets in the same ODI (v Australia at Dhaka on 28 October 1998).

11.27% of all the runs and 24.50% of all the hundreds scored by all Indian batsmen have come from Tendulkar's bat.

His nine centuries against Australia are the most by any player against a particular country. He occupies the second place too, with eight centuries against Sri Lanka.

Sachin Tendulkar with Sourav Ganguly holds the world record for the maximum number of runs scored by the opening partnership in ODIs. They put together 6,609 runs in 136 matches that include 21 century partnerships and 23 fifty run partnerships. The 21 century partnerships for the opening pair is also a world record.

Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid hold the world record for the highest partnership in ODIs when they scored 331 runs for the second wicket against New Zealand in 1999-00 at the Hyderabad.

Only the second player (after Javed Miandad) to appear in SIX World Cups - from 1992 to 2011.

Most ODI runs in a calendar year: 1,894 ODI runs in 1998.

Most Centuries in a calendar year: 9 ODI centuries in 1998.

Longest career span : 22 years 91 days.

Between April 1990 and April 1998 Tendulkar played 185 consecutive matches - a World record.

He is the only player to be in top 10 ICC Batsmen ranking for 10 years in Tests.

He was the first cricketer to receive the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India's highest sporting honor only to be followed by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

In 2002, Wisden rated him as the second greatest Test batsman after Sir Donald Bradman.

In 2003, Wisden rated Tendulkar as the No. 1 in all time Greatest ODI players.
He was involved in unbroken664-run partnership in a Harris Shield game in 1988 with friend and team mate Vinod Kambli.

Tendulkar is the only player to score a century in all three of his Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy debuts.

In 1992, at the age of 19, Tendulkar became the first overseas born player to represent Yorkshire.

Tendulkar has been granted the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, Padma Shri and Padma Vibhushan by Indian government. He is the only Indian cricketer to get all of them.

Tendulkar has scored over 1000 runs in a calendar year in ODIs 7 times.

Tendulkar has scored 1894 runs in calendar year in ODIs most by any batsman.

He has the least percentage of the man of the matches awards won when team loses a match in ODIs. Out of his 62-man of the match awards only 5 times India has lost.

Tendulkar most number man of match awards (12) against Australia.

In August 2003, Sachin Tendulkar was voted as the "Greatest Sportsman" of the country in the sport personalities category in the Best of India poll conducted by Zee News.

In November 2006, Time magazine named Tendulkar as one of the Asian Heroes.

The current India Poised campaign run by The Times of India has nominated him as the Face of New India next to the likes of Amartya Sen and Mahatma Gandhi among others.

Tendulkar was the first batsman to score over 50 centuries in international cricket.

Tendulkar was the first batsman to score over 75 centuries in international cricket.

Has the most overall runs in cricket, (ODIs+Tests+Twenty20s), as of December 2012 he had accumulated almost 34,074 runs overall.

Sachin Tendulkar with Sourav Ganguly hold the world record for the maximum number of runs scored by the opening partnership. They have put together 6,271 runs in 128 matches

The 22 century partnerships for opening pair with Sourav Ganguly is a world record.
Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid hold the world record for the highest partnership in ODI matches when they scored 331 runs against New Zealand in 1999.

Sachin Tendulkar has been involved in six 200 run partnerships in ODI matches - a record that he shares with Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid

Most ODI Centuries in a calendar year: 9 centuries in 1998.

Only player to have over 100 innings of 50+ runs (49 Centuries and 96 Fifties)(as of 7 March 2012)

The only player ever to cross the 14,000, 15,000, 16,000, 17,000, 18,000 run marks IN ODI.

Second highest individual score among Indian batsmen (200* against South Africa at Gwalior in 2011).

The score of 200* is the second highest score recorded in ODI matches.

Tendulkar has scored over 1000 ODI runs against all major Cricketing nations.

Sachin was the fastest to reach 10,000 runs taking 259 innings and has the highest batting average among batsmen with over 10,000 ODI runs

Most number of Stadium Appearances: 90 different Grounds.

Consecutive ODI Appearances: 185.

On his debut, Sachin Tendulkar was the second youngest debutant in the world.

When Tendulkar scored his maiden century in 1990, he was the second youngest to score a century.

Tendulkar's record of five test centuries before he turned 20 is a current world record.

Tendulkar holds the current record (217 against NZ in 1999/00 Season) for the highest score in Test cricket by an Indian when captaining the side.

Tendulkar has scored centuries against all test playing nations. He was the third batman to achieve the distinction after Steve Waugh and Gary Kirsten.

He holds record for the second most number of seasons with over 1000 runs in world in a calendar year.

On 3 January 2007 Sachin Tendulkar (5751) edged past Brian Lara's (5736) world record of runs scored in Tests away from home.

Tendulkar and Brian Lara are the fastest to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket history. Both of them achieved this in 195 innings.

Second Indian after Sunil Gavaskar to make over 10,000 runs in Test matches.

Became the first Indian to surpass the 11,000 Test run mark and the third overall.

First to score 30,000 international runs.

Tendulkar's 34,273 runs in international cricket include 18,426 runs in ODIs, 15,837 Tests runs and 10 runs in the lone Twenty20 that he has played.

On 10 December 2005, Tendulkar made his 35th century in Tests at Delhi against Sri Lanka . He surpassed Sunil Gavaskar's record of 34 centuries to become the man with the most number of hundreds in Test cricket.

Tendulkar is the only player who has 150 wickets and more than 15,000 runs in ODIs.

Tendulkar is the first batsman in history to score 100 centuries in international cricket.

Holds the record for amassing most runs in a winning cause 11157 (average 56.63), including 33 centuries, in 234 matches.

Also has the highest average in a winning cause 56.63 which is the highest among the batsmen with 7000 runs or more in a winning cause.

He has scored most runs in boundaries (fours) in ODI cricket 2016*4= 8064.

He has scored 195 sixes in ODI cricket(Not most but in top 10).

Edited by -Amanat- - 11 years ago

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AK3

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Posted: 11 years ago

Official awards

1994: Sandeepreddy Award Recipient for achievements in cricket
1997: Tendulkar was one of the five cricketers selected as Wisden Cricketer of the Year
1997/98: India's highest sporting honour - Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna
1999: Padma Shri - India's fourth highest civilian award
2008: Padma Vibhushan - India's second highest civilian award
2010: ICC Cricketer of the year - Highest award in the ICC listings
2010: LG People's Choice Award
ICC World Test XI: 2009, 2010, 2011
ICC World ODI XI: 2004, 2007, 2010
Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World 1997, 2010, 2012

Media awards

In August 2003, he was voted as the "Greatest Sportsman" of the country in the sport
personalities category in the Best of India poll conducted by Zee News.
In November 2006, Time magazine named him as one of the Asian Heroes.
In December 2006, he was named "Sports person of the Year"
In June 2009, Time magazine included his Test Debut in "Top 10 Sporting Moments".
In 2010, he was voted as one of the world's 100 most influential people in "The 2010 TIME 100" poll conducted by Time magazine.
The current India Poised campaign run by The Times of India has nominated him as the Face of New India next to the likes of Amartya Sen and Mahatma Gandhi among others.
In February 2010,he was declared "Sports Icon of the Year for 21 years" by NDTV at the NDTV Indian of the Year Awards.

Edited by -Amanat- - 11 years ago

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AK3

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Posted: 11 years ago

In an over I can bowl six different balls. But then Sachin looks at me with a sort of gentle arrogance down the pitch as if to say 'Can you bowl me another one?'
- Adam Hollioake [3]

For cricket, Sachin is Maradona and Pele put together. Cricket will be a poorer sport when he quits the game. He is the first name that comes to mind the moment you ask who is the greatest.
- Allan Donald [4]

Sachin Tendulkar has often reminded me of a veteran army colonel who has many medals on his chest to show how he has conquered bowlers all over the world.
- Allan Donald [5]

I was bowling to Sachin and he hit me for two fours in a row. One from point and the other in between point and gully. That was the last two balls of the over and the over after that we took a wicket and during the group meeting I told Jonty (Rhodes) to be alert and I know a way to pin Sachin. And I delivered the first ball of my next over and it was a fuller length delevery outside offstump. And I shouted catch. To my astonishment the ball was hit to the cover boundary. Such was the brilliance of Sachin. His reflex time is the best I have ever seen. It's like 1/20th of a sec. To get his wicket better not prepare. Atleast you won't regret if he hits you for boundaries.
- Allan Donald [6]

His shot selection is superb, he just lines you up and can make you look very silly. Everything is right in his technique and judgement. There isn't a fault there. He is also a lovely guy, and over the years I've enjoyed some interesting chats with him... Sachin is in a different class to Lara as a professional cricketer. He is a model cricketer, and despite the intolerable pressures he faces back home, he remains a really nice guy... Sachin is also the best batsman in the world, pulling away from Brain Lara every year...
We'd heard all about him modelling himself on Sunil Gavaskar, and he had the same neatness, the same time to spare, the same calmness - and a very heavy bat.
- Allan Donald [7]

"During our team meetings, we often speak about the importance of the first 12 balls to Tendulkar. If you get him then you can thank your stars, otherwise it could mean that tough times lie ahead."
- Allan Donald [8][9]

I have delayed my shoots many times to watch Sachin bat.
- Amitabh Bachchan [10]

Sachin Tendulkar means more to India than I do.
- Amitabh Bachchan [11]

When you bowl at him you are not just trying to get him out, you are trying to impress him. "I want him to walk off thinking 'that Flintoff, he's all right isn't he? I feel privileged to have played against him.
- Andrew Flintoff [12]

To Sachin, the man we all want to be.
- Andrew Symonds wrote on an aussie t-shirt he autographed specially for Sachin. [13]

There are two kinds of batsmen in the world. One, Sachin Tendulkar. Two, all the others.
- Andy Flower [14]

I am very privileged to have played with him and seen most of the runs that he has scored. I am also extremely happy to have shared the same dressing room... He is a very reserved person and generally keeps to himself. He is very determined, committed and doesn't show too many emotions. He just goes about doing his job.
- Anil Kumble [15]

I am fortunate that I've to bowl at him only in the nets.
- Anil Kumble [16]

I can be hundred per cent sure that Sachin will not play for a minute longer when he is not enjoying himself. He is still so eager to go out there and play. He will play as long as he feels he can play.
- Anjali Tendulkar, Sachin's wife [17]

"You get him out and half the battle is won"
- Arjun Ranatunga [18]

First and foremost, Tendulkar is an entertainer and that for me is as important factor as any fact or figure. Too often boring players have been pushed forward as great by figures alone. For sheer entertainment, he will keep cricket alive.
- Barry Richards [19]

Beneath the helmet, under that unruly curly hair, inside the cranium, there is something we don't know, something beyond scientific measure. Something that allows him to soar, to roam a territory of sport that, forget us, even those who are gifted enough to play alongside him cannot even fathom. When he goes out to bat, people switch on their television sets and switch off their lives.
- BBC [20]

The thing I admire most about this man is his poise. The way he moves, elegantly without ever looking out of place in any condition or company, suggests his pedigree. I remember he had once come to New Delhi in the 1990s to collect his Arjuna Award (India's highest award to its top sportspersons) and he asked me if I would attend the function. He is a very sensitive human being...
Sometimes you feel he really hasn't felt the kind of competition in the world his talent deserves. I would have loved to see him perform against top quality cricketers of the previous generation. It would really have brought out the best in him.
- Bishan Singh Bedi [21]

You might pitch a ball on the off stump and think you have bowled a good ball and he walks across and hits it for two behind mid wicket. His bat looks so heavy but he just waves it around like it's a toothpick.
- Brett Lee [22]

Sachin is a genius. I'm a mere mortal.
- Brian Lara [23]

You know genius when you see it, and let me tell you, Sachin is pure genius.
- Brian Lara [24]

The only batsman I would love to see by paying for the tickets and sitting in the stand just to watch him is none other than Sachin Tendulkar.
- Brian Lara [25]

Tendulkar is to cricket what Michael Jordan is to basketball and Muhammad Ali to boxing.
- Brian Lara [26]

He is a tremendous cricketer. He is young and has got a lot of ability. He's got his own style. He has got the temperament for big cricket and I hope that he goes from strength to strength.
- Clive Llyod [27]

He has been in form longer than some of our guys have been alive.
- Daniel Vettori [28]

For Sachin the balance is there. He is quick to complete his shot. He covers the crease much better than mere mortals.
- David Gower [29]

If he is not the best then I want to see the best.
- David Shepherd [30]

I actually feel very embarrassed because I rejected him as a fast bowler. I think I did him and the game of cricket a favour.
- Dennis Lillee advised Tendulkar to focus on his batting, instead of bowling, when he came to the MRF Pace Academy in 1987. [31]

If I'm to bowl to Sachin, I will bowl with my helmet on. He hits the ball so hard.
- Dennis Lillee [32]

No Michael, as long as you walk off with your pride that's all you can do.
- Dennis Lillee to Michael Kasprowicz, when the latter asked if Lillee could see any weaknesses. [33]

In terms of technique and compactness, Tendulkar is the best.
- Desmond Haynes [34]

I saw him (Sachin) playing on television and was struck by his technique, so I asked my wife to come look at him. Now I never saw myself play, but I feel that this player is playing much the same as I used to play, and she looked at him on television and said yes, there is a similarity between the two...his compactness, technique, stroke production... it all seemed to gel.
- Sir Donald Bradman, widely regarded as the greatest batsman in the history of cricket. [35]

In the early years, especially around the mid 90s, I had this feeling you could play around on his ego and get him out. He believed he could attack bowlers at any time and anyone who could bowl maidens to him stood a good chance. Things are of course different now.
- Erapalli Anantharao Srinivas Prasanna [36]

He is cricket's greatest role model and continues to provide a great example for young aspiring cricketers on how to conduct oneself throughout one's career.
- Gary Kirsten [37]

Technically, you can't fault Sachin. Seam or spin, fast or slow nothing is a problem.
- Geoffrey Boycott [38]

The joy he brings to the millions of his countrymen, the grace with which he handles all the adulation and the expectations and his innate humility - all make for a one-in-a-billion individual.
- Glenn McGrath [39]

I'll always remember Sachin as a quality cricketer, one of the best of all time.
- Glenn McGrath [40]

Tendulkar is the best in the world at the moment. Why I've always liked him is that batsmen tend to be negative at times and I think batting is not about not getting out - it is to play positively. I think you got to take it to the bowlers and Sachin is one such player. When you do so, you change the game, you change bowlers because they suddenly start bowling badly because they are under pressure.
- Graeme Pollock [41]

I'd like to see him go out one day and bat with a stump. I tell you he'd do OK... I just get the feeling because of his mental strength that Sachin will be definitely the best player of his era and probably the best 2-3 of all time.
- Greg Chappell [42]

He is a perfectly balanced batsman and knows perfectly well when to attack and when to play defensive cricket.He has developed the ability to treat bowlers all over the world with contempt and can destroy any attack with utmost ease.
- Greg Chappell [43]

I am one of those fortune people who have seen Bradman and Tendulkar bat in my lifetime and in my opinion Tendulkar is the best batsman I have seen in my life.
- Hanif Mohammed [44]

For every ball Sachin has two shots in his mind. And he gets out when he plays the third one.
- Harsha Bhogle, cricket commentator and journalist [45]

I had to remind Gary Kristen often that he was in the covers to field against Sachin not to applaud him.
- Hansie Cronje [46]

Nothing bad can happen to us if we're on a plane in India with Sachin Tendulkar on it.
- Hashim Amla as he boards a flight. [47]

Whenever I see Sachin play I am reminded of the Graeme Pollock quote of Cricket being a 'see the ball, hit the ball game.' He hits the ball as if it's there to be hit.
- Ian Chappell [48]

It did dawn on me at the end of the series that he was something special.
- Ian Healy after Tendulkar's tour to Australia in 1991/92. [49]

I know that the new ball is due, but I am saving it for that "Chotu" (Sachin) who is coming next.
- Imran Khan (captain) of Pakistan to Javed Miandad (vice captain) in Sachin's debut test series (1989).
  - "Chotu" is a subcontinental term for the one who is lean and short. [50]

He loves India. He has named his child India. His biggest player is actually Tendulkar. Right now I'm hoping Tendulkar does not hit a catch to him because he will probably drop it to watch him bat.
- Irving Romaine, captain of Bermuda, on his team-mate Lionel Cann.

"He loves cricket and with his hardwork, focus and commitment he has truly become a outstanding ambassador for the sport at a time when commercialism is so rampant."
- Former Pakistan captain and coach Javed Miandad [51]

I never coached Sachin Tendulkar, I gave him gentle advice when he asked for it.
- John Wright (Indian Team Cricket Coach 2000-2005) [52]

"The way he has taken on the role of India's greatest sporting ambassador... He has, among other things, inspired a generation and more to play cricket."
- India's 1983 World Cup winning captain Kapil Dev [53]

"He continues to give more than 100 per cent and his schoolboy-like enthusiasm for the game is something I envy and admire. For the team he is the best available coaching manual."
- Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni [54]

Edited by -Amanat- - 11 years ago

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AK3

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Posted: 11 years ago

Mumbai: The battle for tickets to cricket hero Sachin Tendulkar's last Test match shifted from ground to cyberspace on Monday morning after the official ticketing website crashed amid surging demand that its owners said could break visitor records for sites selling tickets to the Olympic Games.

KyaZoonga.com clocked in 19 million visitors within a few hours of the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) appointing it ticketing partner to a "historic occasion of the final Test match of our local cricket legend and global icon Sachin Tendulkar".

Tickets are in massive demand because the 14-18 November match at Mumbai's Wankhede stadium will be Sachin's 200th Test and his last capping a 24-year career at the top of the sport.

MCA secretaries P.V. Shetty and Nitin Dalal said in a joint statement: KyaZoonga.com's "service delivery over the last several matches including the, International Cricket Council CWC (Cricket World Cup) 2011 hosted by Mumbai, make them the natural choice to deliver our objectives to fans.

"We look forward to a full house."

However, only a little "over 3,000 tickets" were made available for sale online, according to a person familiar with the development, priced at Rs.500, Rs.1,000 and Rs.2,500, leading to a mad scramble for the website. The stadium can seat 32,000 viewers.

"We've had over 19 million hits in the first few hours. This is unprecedented. The site hasn't crashed, it may take some time to load, but we are clocking in transactions," said Neetu Bhatia, chairman and chief executive officer of KyaZoonga.com, adding that traffic for these tickets was even higher than that for the 2011 Cricket World Cup finals.

"If the momentum continues, then there is a good chance that the site will cross visitor records that have been set by sites offering ticket sales to the Olympics."

MCA has been flooded with requests for tickets and passes ever since the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) allotted the match to Mumbai in October, said an MCA official in an earlier interview.

"We get at least 50 calls a day and also have over 200 emails from all over the world asking for tickets," he added, not wanting to be named.

Eklavya Gupte, one of the lucky few who got hold of a pass to the match"the series pits India against the West Indies"thanks to an uncle who is a member of the MCA's Garware Club, posted a picture on Twitter of the coveted pass.

Since its renovation in 2011, Wankhede stadium's capacity has come down from around 39,000 to 32,000 seats, thanks to ergonomic bucket seats and a new stadium design that leaves space for the sea breeze to blow through the grounds.

Of these, about 6,000 seats are reserved for members of the Garware Club; 6,000 for five gymkhanas"Bombay, Hindu, Islam, Parsee, Catholic"6,000 for the over 300 MCA club members; some 2,000 for BCCI; 3,000 other complimentary tickets; and another 3,000 for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, police, ward officers and other government agencies, besides friends, families and sponsors.

This leaves upto 6,000 tickets"at best"for the public.

Wankhede's financial loss will be Star Sports' gain"the official broadcaster for the match is expecting a 50% jump in advertising rates owing to anticipated massive viewership.

The channel has secured sponsorships from brands such as Airtel, Exide, ITC, Bharti AXA, Pernod Ricard, Racold and Perfetti as sponsors, in addition to multiple spot-buyers, said a spokesperson for Star India. The website starsports.com will also live stream the match, offering it for a price.

New Delhi: India will lose its greatest cricketer when Sachin Tendulkar retires but the 'Little Master' leaves behind records that will not only be tough to beat, but may never be broken.

Tendulkar, 40, has played more matches, and scored more runs and centuries, than anyone else in either Test or one-day cricket, and is the only batsman to compile 100 international hundreds.

What stands out in an extraordinary 24-year career, which will end with his 200th Test starting on Thursday, is how far ahead he is both in terms of statistics and longevity.

"Records don't last forever, but some of Tendulkar's achievements like 200 Tests and 100 international centuries will be hard to beat," former India captain Kapil Dev told AFP.

Tendulkar's 15,847 Test runs dwarf the 13,378 scored by second-placed and now retired former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, and are 2,707 more than Jacques Kallis, the highest placed active player.

Tendulkar has been even more dominant in one-day cricket, his tally of 18,426 runs being 4,722 more than number two Ponting. Of active batsmen, Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara leads with 11,948.

Ponting's 30 one-day centuries pale against Tendulkar's 49 -- although South Africa's Kallis is only seven hundreds away from matching the Indian's Test tally of 51 tons.

By further comparison, Australia's Donald Bradman, usually acknowledged as cricket's best batsman, retired aged 39 in 1948 with 6,996 Test runs, including 29 centuries, in 52 matches.

And despite Bradman's staggering Test average of 99.94, West Indian great Brian Lara said Tendulkar was not only the best of all time, but that his records could be unmatchable.

"No argument at all - Sachin Tendulkar, for me, has had the greatest cricket career of anyone who has ever played the game," Brian Lara said in London this week.

"His stats speak for themselves," added Lara. "I don't think there is any 16-year-old who is going to embark on the sort of career that Sachin Tendulkar has had and walk away from the game at 40 or 41 with such great achievements."

Among current players, Tendulkar's Test record could possibly be matched by just two batsmen -- the indefatigable all-rounder Kallis, and England captain Alastair Cook.

Kallis, 38, has scored 13,140 runs in 164 Tests at a commendable average of 55.44. Cook, 28, already has 7,801 runs from 97 Tests, with 25 centuries and an average of 47.85.

However, Dev said the growth of one-day and Twenty20 cricket -- and the rigorous physical demands of the modern game -- could put Tendulkar's statistics out of reach.

"One would need to play for 25 years to achieve those feats, but can modern-day players last that long?" he asked. "Most don't even play enough Test matches these days."

Tendulkar featured in just one Twenty20 international, preferring to leave the shortest version to younger players, but turned out for the Mumbai Indians in domestic T20 up until last month.

The proliferation of T20, as well as the money on offer, has seen many of the game's best batsmen limiting their appearances for their country, as well as a tightening of the international schedule.

The West Indies star batsman Chris Gayle, who should be in the opposition starting line-up for Tendulkar's farewell Test in Mumbai, has missed several tours for his country to turn out for T20 franchises instead.

Former India opener Sunil Gavaskar pinpointed prolific youngster Virat Kohli as someone who may surpass Tendulkar's tally of 49 one-day centuries, but said his Test record appeared impregnable.

Kohli, 25, has scored 4,919 runs in 113 one-day innings so far, with 17 hundreds. At the same stage, Tendulkar had hit 4,001 runs with only eight centuries.

"It will be well nigh impossible to play 200 Test matches or reach 51 Test hundreds, but the manner in which Virat is batting, 49 hundreds definitely look possible," Gavaskar told NDTV news channel.

"He may still be 32 tons away, but the number of one-dayers India play these days, he could do it."

So how did Tendulkar manage to play for so long -- and so well?

Sri Lanka's world record-holding bowler Muttiah Muralitharan attributed Tendulkar's success to a "perfect technique, rock-solid temperament and astonishing mental strength".

"The thing with Sachin is that statistics don't lie," Muralitharan wrote in a recent column in the Times of India.

"He was consistent at home and overseas. He was comfortable against pace and spin. He could thrive on slow pitches and bouncy pitches."

Former South African opener Gary Kirsten, who played alongside Tendulkar and then coached him and India to World Cup glory in 2011, said his rigorous training and practice sessions before every match were the key.

"He always had a burning desire to score big in every innings," Kirsten told the Economic Times. "Whilst many might be willing to compromise a little after some success, Sachin would become more ruthless and prepare even harder for the next game.

"I really enjoyed watching his attention to detail during preparation time. The thing that means the most to me is his absolute love affair with the game of cricket.

"I have never met another person who enjoys the game more."

As the entire nation gets set to see Sachin Tendulkar play his last test at his home ground in Mumbai starting this Thursday the anticipation and eagerness is at an all time high.

Dairy product company, Amul which lauds itself for being the taste of India for its well known witty ads featuring the famous 'Amul girl' paid tribute to Tendulkar with an ad.

A cartoon character who looks like Sachin during his younger days with long curly locks is seen eating a slice of bread with butter as he bats in front of stumps with the Amul girl behind looking on with admiration.

With a vintage look to it, the ad has text that reads, "India retires hurt!" on top and "Master Butter" written below.

Sachin Tendulkar who is cricket's greatest star will play his 200th and last Test from November 14 to 18 against the West Indies in a series where India have a 1-0 lead after a win in Kolkata last week.

Sachin Tendulkar to be awarded Bharat Ratna

Nov 16, 2013

NEW DELHI:

In a fitting finale to what has been a glorious career, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar was on Saturday chosen for the prestigious Bharat Ratna, the country's highest civilian award, making him the first sportsperson to be bestowed with the honour.

The 40-year-old icon, who called time on his glittering international career today, was chosen for the top award soon after his farewell Test against the West Indies ended in Mumbai.

A brief statement issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson Venu Rajamony said the President has awarded the Bharat Ratna to Tendulkar, who retired from the international cricket today.

Tendulkar bows out as the most successful batsman in international cricket with 15,921 runs in 200 Tests. In his ODI career, which he ended last year, Tendulkar amassed 18,426 runs in 463 matches.

The Mumbaikar is the only batsman in international cricket to score 100 centuries. He was the first batsman to get a double hundred in one-dayers.

The award is a perfect send off gift to Tendulkar whose career spanned 24 years making him an inspiration for an entire generation of cricketers.

There have been continuous demands for him to be conferred the honour for a long time and the eligibility criteria of the award was revised last year to accommodate sportspersons as well.

Tendulkar, who became the first active sportsperson to become a Rajya Sabha member last year, is being given the honour along with Professor CNR Rao, the man behind India's maiden Mars mission.

The Bharat Ratna is being conferred after a gap of years with classical vocalist Pandit Bhimsen Joshi being the last recipient.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Sachin-Tendulkar-CNR-Rao-to-be-awarded-Bharat-Ratna/articleshow/25887414.cms

Sachin's Farewell Speech

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfCBWUkWzXM[/YOUTUBE]

Edited by -Amanat- - 11 years ago

Quote

AK3

@Amanat

Rocker

+ 4

Posted: 11 years ago

Aaditya01 & _BullsEye_ for the idea.
-Amanat- (Myself) for the headers & compilation.
appy_indy-KD & -Ocean.eyes- for the dividers.

4. SaiS for the "Bharat Ratna" article.

Edited by -Amanat- - 11 years ago

Quote

@-AD-

Trailblazer

Posted: 11 years ago

Great Thread @ Monk...Thank U !!🤗
Hope he will sign off with a good Knock !!😛
Will miss the Legend & his phenominal contributions to Ind Cricket !...Hats Off...👏#Sachin ...#Sachin...

Edited by Aaditya01 - 11 years ago