Tendulkar ends long wait for century of tons
Source: Agencies |
March 17, 2012, Saturday
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Print Edition
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SACHIN Tendulkar has finally reached where no cricketer has been before.
The historic journey to his 100th international century yesterday took longer than expected, as he was stranded from the unprecedented mark for just over a year.
But the "Little Master" relieved himself of the burden in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh for undoubtedly the most anticipated cricket milestone ever.
Tendulkar got to his 49th one-day international century and first against Bangladesh with a clipped single to square leg off spinner Shakib Al Hassan, and did not celebrate much despite the mounting pressure of expectations from millions of his Indian compatriots.
"I can't think of anything at this stage, it has been a tough phase for me," Tendulkar said after his innings. "I started off the season well but was luckless. It does not matter how many hundreds you score, you still have to grind it out."
The best batsman of the modern era scored his last century (111) against South Africa at Nagpur during the World Cup on March 12 last year. The World Cup final at Mumbai and tours of England and Australia all provided him opportunities of getting to the mark at some of the most celebrated venues but Tendulkar came up short each time.
He was twice out in the 90s in tests last year - for 91 versus England at The Oval and 94 against West Indies at Wankhede Stadium - while also being dismissed for 85 against Pakistan during the World Cup semifinals at Mohali.
"When I got the 99th century, no one spoke about it. I guess it was the media which started it," he said. "Wherever I went, to restaurant, the house keeping, the room service, whoever I met just spoke about the 100th hundred. It became a little difficult mentally, because I am not playing only for my 100th hundred."
He was finally out for 114, caught behind off Mashrafe bin Mortaza, who then ran over to shake his hand. Tendulkar's closest rival is Australia's Ricky Ponting on 68 centuries but approaching the twilight of his career at the age of 37.
The historic journey to his 100th international century yesterday took longer than expected, as he was stranded from the unprecedented mark for just over a year.
But the "Little Master" relieved himself of the burden in the Asia Cup in Bangladesh for undoubtedly the most anticipated cricket milestone ever.
Tendulkar got to his 49th one-day international century and first against Bangladesh with a clipped single to square leg off spinner Shakib Al Hassan, and did not celebrate much despite the mounting pressure of expectations from millions of his Indian compatriots.
"I can't think of anything at this stage, it has been a tough phase for me," Tendulkar said after his innings. "I started off the season well but was luckless. It does not matter how many hundreds you score, you still have to grind it out."
The best batsman of the modern era scored his last century (111) against South Africa at Nagpur during the World Cup on March 12 last year. The World Cup final at Mumbai and tours of England and Australia all provided him opportunities of getting to the mark at some of the most celebrated venues but Tendulkar came up short each time.
He was twice out in the 90s in tests last year - for 91 versus England at The Oval and 94 against West Indies at Wankhede Stadium - while also being dismissed for 85 against Pakistan during the World Cup semifinals at Mohali.
"When I got the 99th century, no one spoke about it. I guess it was the media which started it," he said. "Wherever I went, to restaurant, the house keeping, the room service, whoever I met just spoke about the 100th hundred. It became a little difficult mentally, because I am not playing only for my 100th hundred."
He was finally out for 114, caught behind off Mashrafe bin Mortaza, who then ran over to shake his hand. Tendulkar's closest rival is Australia's Ricky Ponting on 68 centuries but approaching the twilight of his career at the age of 37.
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