Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar [Marathi: सचिन रमेश तेंडुलकर)] (born 1973-04-24), 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.
2011 World Cup and after
From February to April, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka hosted the 2011 World Cup. Amassing 482 runs at an average of 53.55 including two centuries, Tendulkar was India's lead run-scorer for the tournament; only Tillakaratne Dilshan of Sri Lanka scored more runs in the 2011 tournament. India defeated Sri Lanka in the final. Shortly after the victory, Tendulkar commented that "Winning the World Cup is the proudest moment of my life. ... I couldn't control my tears of joy."
India were due to tour the West Indies in June, although Tendulkar chose not to participate. He returned to the squad in July for India's tour of England. Throughout the tour there was much hype in the media about whether Tendulkar would reach his 100th century in international cricket (Test and ODIs combined). However his highest score in the Tests was 91; Tendulkar averaged 34.12 in the series as England won 4–0 as they deposed India as the No. 1 ranked Test side. The injury Tendulkar sustained to his right foot in 2001 flared up and as a result he was ruled out of the ODI series that followed. Tendulkar created another record on 8 November 2011 when he became the first cricketer to score 15,000 runs in Test cricket, during the opening Test match against the West Indies at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi.
100th international century
Tendulkar scored his much awaited 100th international hundred on 16 March 2012, at Mirpur against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup. He became the first person in history to achieve this feat. Incidentally, it was Tendulkar's first ODI hundred against Bangladesh. He said "It's been a tough phase for me ... I was not thinking about the milestone, the media started all this, wherever I went, the restaurant, room service, everyone was talking about the 100th hundred. Nobody talked about my 99 hundreds. It became mentally tough for me because nobody talked about my 99 hundreds”. Despite Tendulkar's century, India failed to win the match against Bangladesh, losing by 5 wickets.
National honours
Other honours
About Sachin Tendulkar
2011 World Cup and after
From February to April, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka hosted the 2011 World Cup. Amassing 482 runs at an average of 53.55 including two centuries, Tendulkar was India's lead run-scorer for the tournament; only Tillakaratne Dilshan of Sri Lanka scored more runs in the 2011 tournament. India defeated Sri Lanka in the final. Shortly after the victory, Tendulkar commented that "Winning the World Cup is the proudest moment of my life. ... I couldn't control my tears of joy."
India were due to tour the West Indies in June, although Tendulkar chose not to participate. He returned to the squad in July for India's tour of England. Throughout the tour there was much hype in the media about whether Tendulkar would reach his 100th century in international cricket (Test and ODIs combined). However his highest score in the Tests was 91; Tendulkar averaged 34.12 in the series as England won 4–0 as they deposed India as the No. 1 ranked Test side. The injury Tendulkar sustained to his right foot in 2001 flared up and as a result he was ruled out of the ODI series that followed. Tendulkar created another record on 8 November 2011 when he became the first cricketer to score 15,000 runs in Test cricket, during the opening Test match against the West Indies at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium in New Delhi.
100th international century
Tendulkar scored his much awaited 100th international hundred on 16 March 2012, at Mirpur against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup. He became the first person in history to achieve this feat. Incidentally, it was Tendulkar's first ODI hundred against Bangladesh. He said "It's been a tough phase for me ... I was not thinking about the milestone, the media started all this, wherever I went, the restaurant, room service, everyone was talking about the 100th hundred. Nobody talked about my 99 hundreds. It became mentally tough for me because nobody talked about my 99 hundreds”. Despite Tendulkar's century, India failed to win the match against Bangladesh, losing by 5 wickets.
National honours
- Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian award, 2008.
- Maharashtra Bhushan Award, Maharashtra State's highest Civilian Award in 2001.
- Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award, 1999.
- Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India's highest honour given for achievement in sports, 1997–98.
- Arjuna Award, by the Government of India in recognition of his outstanding achievement in sports, 1994.
Other honours
- Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World: 2010.
- ICC Award-Sir Garfield Sobers trophy for cricketer of the year 2010.
- LG People's Choice Award: 2010.
- ICC World Test XI: 2009, 2010, 2011.
- ICC World ODI XI: 2004, 2007, 2010.
- Player of the tournament in 2003 Cricket World Cup.
- Rajiv Gandhi Awards – Sports: 2005.
- Wisden Cricketer of the Year: 1997.
- In October 2010, he was awarded for Outstanding Achievement in Sport and the Peoples Choice Award at The Asian Awards in London.
- On 28 January 2011, he won the 'Castrol Indian Cricketer of the Year' award.
- 'BCCI Cricketer of the Year' award on 31 May 2011.
- On 3 September 2010, he was made a Honorary Group captain by the Indian Air Force.
- On 11 June 2012, he was given Wisden India Outstanding Achievement award.
- Honorary Member of the Order of Australia, given by the Australian government on 6 November 2012.
About Sachin Tendulkar
- 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?'
- 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.
- "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."
- "I have delayed my shoots many times to watch Sachin bat"
- 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.
- To Sachin, the man we all want to be.
- Andrew Symonds wrote on an aussie t-shirt he autographed specially for Sachin.
- There are 2 kind of batsmen in the world. One Sachin Tendulkar. Two all the others.
- I am fortunate that I've to bowl at him only in the nets.
- I have seen God, he bats at no. 4 for India.
- Don't bowl him bad balls, he hits the good ones for fours.
- Tendulkar has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years. It is time we carried him on our shoulders.
- He can play that leg glance with a walking stick also.