9 years ago on this day, Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar created history by becoming the first-ever batsman to hit 100 international centuries. Even 8 years after his retirement, the record remains untouched.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Sachin Tendulkar scored his 100th international century on March 16, 2012
- The Master Blaster had achieved the feat against Bangladesh in Asia Cup
- Tendulkar is the only batsman in world cricket to hit 100 centuries
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After accomplishing almost every batting record in the first 23 years of his international career, one record that kept Sachin Tendulkar waiting was his 100th international century. The hype surrounding the 100th ton was such that it overshadowed crucial knocks which Sachin played after his 99th ton – against South Africa.
The fans expected the Master Blaster to complete the three-figure mark every time he came out to bat and Tendulkar took a year to end the wait. It was against Bangladesh in the 2012 Asia Cup that Sachin became the first batsman in world cricket to score the century of centuries!
He reached the milestone with a single off Shakib al Hasan. The pressure to score 100 was such that Tendulkar played 138 deliveries to reach that mark. He finished with 114 runs off 147 balls. Despite his ton, India only managed 289/5. And Bangladesh chased down the target to minimise India’s chances of making it to the next round.
As per Sachin, it was his toughest hundred. “I have to admit I am relieved now. When I got my 99th hundred against South Africa in World Cup, no one spoke about my 100th hundred. The focus was on the World Cup. As soon as the World Cup was over, the focus shifted to my 100th hundred.,” he had told Headlines today in 2012.
“I went to England. Everyone said I want to get my 100th hundred at Lord’s. I wish I could do that at will. Scoring hundreds is not easy. It doesn’t come as and when you want. You have to go out there. All the things should click. It is a process. I have experienced that even after scoring 99 hundreds. The 100th hundred was not that easy. Possibly, the toughest one.”
Tendulkar continued to play international cricket for another 20 months but didn’t score a century. In fact, he couldn’t even touch the 90-run mark after his 100th ton.
Even 8 years after achieving the milestone, Tendulkar is the sole owner of the record. Australia legend Ricky Ponting comes next to him with 71 tons while Virat Kohli has hit 70 centuries so far.
