The Master Blaster: Top 10 interesting facts

Here is a list of 10 interesting facts about the God of Cricket

1. Dec 11, 1988 – Makes his first class debut. At 15, scores an unbeaten century against Gujarat at the Wankhede Stadium to become the youngest Indian to make a hundred on first-class debut. He is the only player to score centuries on debut in the Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy.

2. Nov 15, 1989 – He was only 16 when he made his International Test debut against Pakistan at Karachi.

3. November 14, 1992 – Tendulkar was the first player to be given out by the third umpire in an international game.

4. Oct 1995 – Signs a five-year contract worth Rs 31.5 crore with WorldTel, which makes him the richest cricketer in the world.

5. Mar 31, 2001 – Completed 10,000 runs in ODIs in his 266th match. Became the first batsman in ODI history to score 10,000 runs. Brought up his 30th one-day century at Johannesburg against South Africa. Completed his 100 wickets in ODIs. Also completed a unique double of 10,000 runs and 100 wickets.

6. Oct 17, 2008 – Tendulkar became the highest run-scorer in Test cricket at Mohali against Australia, surpassing Brian Lara‘s tally of 11953 runs.

7. Feb 24, 2010 – At 36 years and 306 days, he reached greater peaks by scoring the first double-century in one-day cricket vs South Africa at Gwalior.

8. Tendulkar has 13 coins from his coach Ramakant Achrekar. He would win a coin if he could get through an entire session of nets without being dismissed.

9. Sept 2010 – Tendulkar was the first individual without an aviation background to be awarded the honorary rank of Group Captain by the Indian Air Force.

10. Mar 16, 2012 – More than a year after scoring his 99th international hundred, Tendulkar reaches the landmark that might never be equalled, scored his 100th international ton against Bangladesh in Dhaka.