Sachin Tendulkar, the batting great from India, hit 51 Test centuries, which is a record number of hundreds scored by any batsman in the history of Test cricket. These hundreds spanned over 1989-2013 from which Sachin made himself a household name in cricket for 24 years.
History states that Tendulkar scored his maiden test ton on 14th August 1990 while playing against England at Old Trafford, Manchester. India managed to draw this match with the help of the Tendulkar’s knock of 119 not out.
It was the first tournament he was representing India and at the age of 17 years, his innings was beyond boundaries therefore he was one of the saturating categories in the cricket world.
At the same time, Sunil Gavaskar had a TV show, and there is a clip posted on the net with the great praising S. Tendulkar for the first Test hundred that the boy made.
In the video, Gavaskar, with Tendulkar next to him, says, “Certain men and certain situations in the world could bring out the positives in each other.” This was the case with Old Trafford in 1990 and Indian cricket and Sachin was all of twelve back then. And remember, he was not even a man then, he was only 17 years old.”
The video then has Tendulkar being presented with the Man of the Match award after the match for his great innings against Old Trafford, Manchester.
Gavaskar says further, “There were plenty of splendid individual performances in the contest but one, perhaps most of the audience will remember is the maiden test century scored by Sachin Tendulkar. That was the day when a 17 year old boy became a man.”
The retired middle order batsman has also been heard commenting on the significance of his maiden test century in a rather positive light as he purse a well accomplished career.
Also regarding his maiden international hundred in the taking of the whole game, interviews and his autobiography, ‘Playing It My Way’ Tendulkar has admit the experience was rather greatly bizarre but stress was to be anticipated at that age however.
He noted how he felt that he needed to help avert the loss for India and that he felt a sense of responsibility and expectations. The team was in trouble and with his 119 not out, India managed to draw the match.
Tendulkar has repeatedly mentioned the mental aspect which is necessary during that particular innings. Considering the strong England bowling attack, he had to concentrate totally and ignore everything else. He has mentioned that it was one of the initial times when he accepted the fact that he could bat for long periods of time and play at the highest level.
In Tendulkar’s mind, this century was special not only because it was the first one in his career, but it also made him the key player for India. This innings; according to himself, not only became the reason for his selection but also laid base to his career defining feats.
