Sachin Tendulkar

First Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025
5 years of Sachin Tendulkar Foundation
Personal and Early Life

  • Full Name: Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar

  • Born: April 24, 1973, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

  • Family Background: Sachin was born into a middle-class Maharashtrian family. His father, Ramesh Tendulkar, was a well-known Marathi novelist, and his mother, Rajni Tendulkar, worked in the insurance industry. He was named after his father's favorite music director, Sachin Dev Burman.

  • Early Cricket Career: From a young age, Sachin showed an immense aptitude for cricket. His elder brother, Ajit Tendulkar, recognized his talent and enrolled him in the academy of the famous cricket coach, Ramakant Achrekar. Tendulkar's dedication was legendary; Achrekar would often place a one-rupee coin on top of the stumps during practice, and if Sachin remained not out, he would get to keep the coin.

  • School Cricket: At the age of 14, while playing for his school, Sharadashram Vidyamandir, Sachin and his friend Vinod Kambli set a world record by forging a colossal 664-run partnership in an inter-school match. This performance made national headlines and marked him as a future star.

  • Domestic Debut: At just 15 years and 232 days old, he made his first-class debut for Mumbai in the Ranji Trophy, scoring a century (100 not out). He remains the youngest Indian to achieve this feat.

    Playing Style and Role

    • Role: Right-handed opening batsman and a part-time right-arm medium-fast, leg-break, and off-break bowler.

    • Batting: Tendulkar was known for his technical perfection, balance, and wide range of shots. He had a complete repertoire of strokes, including the straight drive, cover drive, and on-drive, which were often considered a joy to watch.

  • Bowling: Though primarily a batsman, Sachin was a highly useful part-time bowler with a knack for breaking crucial partnerships. His variations in pace and spin often left batsmen confused, and he had some memorable bowling performances, including defending five runs in the last over to win a match for India against South Africa in 1993.

  • Fielding: While not as renowned for his fielding as for his batting, he was a reliable catcher and a good team player in the field.

    International Career

    • International Debut: Sachin made his Test debut at the age of 16 years and 205 days on November 15, 1989, against Pakistan in Karachi, facing a formidable pace attack of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

    • ODI Opening: His career took a decisive turn in 1994 when he was promoted to open the innings in ODIs, a move that changed the course of limited-overs cricket.

    • Captaincy: While his batting was extraordinary, his stints as a captain of the Indian team were less successful.2011 World Cup: The pinnacle of his career was the 2011 Cricket World Cup victory, a dream he had pursued for two decades. The iconic image of his teammates carrying him on their shoulders around the Wankhede Stadium after the final is one of the most emotional moments in cricketing history.

    • Major Records and Achievements

    • The 100 Hundreds: Sachin Tendulkar is the only cricketer in history to score 100 international centuries (51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs).

    • Most Runs: He is the highest run-scorer in both Test cricket (15,921 runs) and ODIs (18,426 runs).

    • First ODI Double Century: In 2010, he became the first male cricketer to score a double century in a One-Day International, an unbeaten 200 against South Africa.

    • Most Matches: He holds the record for playing the most Test matches (200) and ODI matches (463).

    • World Cup Records: He holds the record for the most runs in Cricket World Cups (2,278 runs) and the most centuries in World Cup history (6). He was also the Player of the Tournament in the 2003 World Cup.

    • Awards:

      • Bharat Ratna: He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor, in 2014, becoming the youngest and first-ever sportsperson to receive the award.

      • Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, and Padma Vibhushan: He has received numerous other high civilian and sporting honors from the Indian government.

      • ICC Hall of Fame: He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2019

    Life After Retirement

    • Retirement: Sachin played his final international match on November 16, 2013, at his home ground, the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

    • Post-Retirement Ventures: Since retiring, he has remained a prominent figure. He has authored his autobiography, "Playing It My Way," and has been involved in various philanthropic activities, including his role as a UNICEF ambassador. He has also been a part of various sports leagues, including owning a franchise in the Indian Super League (football).

    • Legacy: Sachin Tendulkar's legacy extends beyond his statistics. He is a cultural icon in India and is seen as a symbol of hope and aspiration for millions. His dedication, humility, and sportsmanship have made him a role model for a generation