Sachin Tendulkar: A Tribute in Numbers

People who find solace in numbers almost revere the people who provide those numbers. And for a person whose veins run with cricketing blood, there’s no better person than Sachin Tendulkar to give more value to these numbers. Here is a small tribute to the legend whose enduring legacy cannot be expressed in words and whose name evokes strong emotions in each and every one of us. Words fail me and hence I turn to its faithful comrade, numbers, to script out the tribute.

1. Sachin Tendulkar’s first shot at fame was achieved with the help of his teammate and friend Vinod Kambli when the two spirited lads set up a record partnership of 664 playing for their school. Interestingly, he finished his career with the same numbers in a different way. He has played 664 International matches in total, that are split as: 200 Tests, 463 ODIs and 1 T20I.

2. Sachin Tendulkar is the only player to score a century on debut in Ranji Trophy (1988–89), Duleep Trophy (1990–91) and Irani Cup (1989–90).

3. Sachin Tendulkar is the only player to have scored a century on his debut as captain for India when he scored a smashing 110 against Sri Lanka at Colombo on August 28, 1996. This still remains a world record for all international matches.

4. Sachin Tendulkar has played alongside 743 opponents and 123 teammates in ODIs. In Tests, the number stands as 500 opponents and 93 teammates.

5. Sachin Tendulkar played his first 32 Test matches in 32 different grounds. He has totally played in 59 different test grounds all over the world. He has played in 96 different ODI grounds.

6. Sachin Tendulkar has brought up his century by hitting a 6 in six different occasions in a Test match. Another number coincidence.

7. Sachin Tendulkar has aggregated the same number of runs (5068) in a Test match’s first innings as well as second innings. He holds the record of aggregating most runs in the first and second innings of a Test Match. His tally of 2996 runs is the third highest in the third innings of a Test match. He has also scored the most number of runs (1625) in a match’s fourth innings.

8. Sachin Tendulkar is the only batsman to open his innings in a Test match with 2 sixes. He did this against Australia at Chennai in 2013.

9. Among his close friends on and off the field, Sachin Tenulkar has played 146 Tests with Rahul Dravid, 122 with Anil Kumbla, 120 with VVS Laxman and 103 wiht Sourav Ganguly.

10. Sachin Tendulkar has featured in 72 Test Wins which is the most by an Indian Player.

11. Sachin Tendulkar scored 1522 Test Runs which inclued 5 Test Centuries as a teenager. This is still one of the most impressive records in cricketing history

Sachin began writing his tale of cricket at the age of 11 and hence I find it befitting to end this tribute with 11 stats that speak of his glory. He was christened by his father as Sachin after the great Sachin Dev Burman. History saw Sachin making a lasting impact in cricket and now, there are thousands of people who wish to name their sons after him. Such is the greatness of Sachin. Hats off Paaji! A Thank You is too small a word to express my immense gratitude and adoration. A big bow to the little master for carrying the hopes of the nation in his shoulder for nearly a quarter of a century.