Guwahati: India’s cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar turned 48 on Saturday and wishes started pouring in from all over the world. Sachin is currently recovering at home after spending six days in hospital due to COVID-19.
One of the greatest batsmen to have graced the game, Tendulkar owns countless batting and other records which he created during his 24-year long international career. The international cricket’s highest run-scorer, Tendulkar also finished his career as the most capped player.
Not just that, he scored most tons in the two formats and is the only batsman to score a century of centuries. On the occasion of Tendulkar’s birthday, we have a look at some of his records that may never be broken –
Most Test caps
One of the youngest Test debutants in the history of the game, Tendulkar had a 24-year-long Test career in which he played 200 Test matches for Team India. The only player with over 175 Test caps, Tendulkar holds a big lead over second-placed Ricky Ponting, who played 168 Test matches.
Tendulkar majorly played during the period when there were only two formats, which is one of the reasons behind him playing 200 Test matches. He had to sit out of action for countless matches due to various injuries. Or else, Tendulkar could have neared the 225-mark with ease.
Most Test runs
Since he played 200 Test matches, Tendulkar is also the only batsman who breached the 15000-run mark in Test cricket. Ponting comes next to him with 13378 runs.
Like the Test cap record, Tendulkar’s record of most runs is also likely to remain untouched as a player will have to at least breach Ponting’s cap tally to score 14 to 15k runs. That is unlikely to happen in today’s world and Tendulkar’s record of 15921 Test runs shall remain untouched.
Most World Cup appearances
Fitness and age play a key role in deciding how many World Cups a player would play in his career. There have been 12 editions of List A World Cups but there are only two players who have played 6 of them. The first player to partake in 6 World Cups was Javed Miandad. And Tendulkar equalled his record in 2011.
Yes, there have been only 2 players in the 46-year history of List A World Cups and this is another record that is difficult to be achieved. Earlier, there used to be only one-format World Cup. But now, a player can live his dream of winning an ICC trophy by taking part in T20 World Cup, which usually takes place after every 2 years.
Tendulkar’s joint record of playing 6 World Cups is another milestone that may never be broken.
Youngest Indian to play Test cricket
Tendulkar was a child prodigy. He was such an exceptional batsman that the selection panel didn’t ask him to play U-19 cricket and he made it to the national team after his dream debut in Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Irani Cup. Tendulkar made his Test debut at the age of 16 years and 205 days and remains to be the youngest Indian to do so.
The time was different back then and now, a player has to perform at every stage to graduate to the next level. Even if he is a special case, there are more chances of a 16-year-old playing U-19 cricket for India and not Test cricket. Tendulkar is likely to remain the youngest Test player in the history of Indian cricket.
Most runs in World Cups
Since Tendulkar played most World Cups, he also holds the record of scoring the most runs in the tournament. The only batsman to breach the 2000-run mark in the List A World Cups, Master Blaster finished his career with 2278 runs. No other batsman managed to cross the 1800-mark. Tendulkar is expected to continue his supremacy in World Cups and his record of scoring most runs is likely to remain forever.
