Reliving Sachin Tendulkar's Test centuries: Century 16-20

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The name Sachin Tendulkar is enough to make people stand up and take notice not just in India, but around the world. When he made his debut against Pakistan in Karachi, he had already made headlines all across the globe. The baby-faced 16-year old took on the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Imran Khan in his debut series and scored a gritty 59 in just his second innings of his career.

Slowly but surely this young batsman was taking giant strides in international cricket. Then, he made the world sit up and take a closer look at him in his 14th innings. Scoring a majestic unbeaten 119 at the Old Trafford in the second innings, a 17-year old Tendulkar helped India save the Test match.

That century was followed by another Test 50 tons in his 24-year career. Sachin Tendulkar was one of the most celebrated cricketers of his time and even today, he attracts a lot of attention. Thus, we continue to look back at all his Test centuries.

Let's relive centuries 16 to 20.

#1. Century No. 16 – 177 v Australia, Bangalore (1998)

1998 started well for Sachin. In 5 ODIs, he had scored 258 runs at an excellent strike-rate of 112.17. Then the Test series against Australia began. There was a big hype around 'Warne vs Tendulkar'. In the second innings, India’s premier batsman (who scored 155) absolutely bulldozed Warne as the latter conceded 122 runs in 30 overs.

After scoring 155 (not out) and 79 in his previous two innings, Tendulkar looked in prime form right from the start of 1998. With the series already won, India batted first in the third and final Test (at Bangalore). Tendulkar walked in at 109/2 which soon became 110/3 as Warne looked in great rhythm.

However, like the previous face-offs in the series, the Mumbaikar continued to nullify the Warne-threat and dominated him once again. Sachin scored a brilliant 177 as he helped India post 424 in their first innings.

Tendulkar’s 177 was a master class as most of his other teammates couldn’t convert their starts which resulted in India reaching only 424. Unfortunately, India lost the game by 8 wickets as a collapse in the second innings ensured India were bowled out for 169. Australia easily chased down 194 as they won the final Test and lost the series 2-1.

Tendulkar, for his heroics throughout the series, was named the Man of the Series.