NEW DELHI: It was on November 16, 2013, when batting legend
Sachin Tendulkar, popularly known as the 'Master Blaster', bid adieu to international
cricket
.
Tendulkar's career spanned over two decades; and he retired from all forms of international cricket after his 200th Test match against the West Indies at his home ground, the
Wankhede Stadium
, in Mumbai.
In his last Test, Tendulkar scored 74 runs. He was sent back to the pavilion by spinner Narsingh Deonarine who had him caught by Daren Sammy.
However, when Sammy took the catch, he did not celebrate as it was Tendulkar's last innings in international cricket.
After the match, Tendulkar's speech at the Wankhede made cricketing fans all over the globe teary-eyed.
"Time has flown by quickly, but the memories you have left with me will always be with me forever and ever, and especially the chant of 'Sachin Sachin' which will reverberate in my ears till I stop breathing," Tendulkar had said.
Last year, Tendulkar had become the sixth Indian to be inducted in the ICC Hall of Fame. The 46-year-old had made his debut for India at the age of 16 in 1989.
He aggregated 34,357 runs across formats, which is more than 6,000 runs ahead of the second-placed former Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara. Regarded as one of the greatest batsmen ever, Tendulkar holds the record of being the highest run-scorer of all time in international cricket, having notched up 18,426 runs in ODIs and 15,921 runs in Test matches, including a world record hundred centuries.
At the age of 37, Tendulkar played his final World Cup. India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets at home in the final of the 2011 edition to become the ODI champions. This made Tendulkar a member of the World Cup-winning team for the first time.
He was India's leading run-scorer and second overall in the tournament. He retired from the 50-over format in 2012.
Tendulkar has also served as a mentor of the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League.
Start a Conversation
Post comment