Sachin Tendulkar (Master Blaster)

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, commonly known by the name of The Little Master or The Master Blaster, is an Indian professional cricketer and the greatest batsmen in the history of the game. He is a right-handed all-rounder.

Tendulkar attended Sharadashram Vidyamandir High School in Mumbai where he began his cricketing career under the guidance of his coach and mentor, Ramakant Achrekar. At 13, Tendulkar was the best player in the Mumbai schools competition for Under 19s. At 14, Tendulkar made his first-class debut for the Mumbai cricket team and scored a century on debut. He made his international test debut in 1989 against Pakistan in Karachi at age 16. He scored his first international century at just 17.

In the domestic career, in the debut matches of Irani Trophy, Duleep Trophy as well as Ranji Trophy Tendulkar is the singular player to have scored a century. When he was 19 he represented Yorkshire and became the first overseas born player to do so. Tendulkar has scored 1070 runs in 16 first class matches for Yorkshire at an average of 46.52.

In 1989 under the captaincy of Kris Srikkanth Tendulkar debuted in Test cricket in Karachi against Pakistan. In his first match he made only 15 runs and was bowled out by Waqar Younis. However the way he managed several blows of the Pakistan pace attack to the body was impressive and his commitment level towards the side and the country showed when he refrained to walk of the field after being hit on the nose by a rising ball. At Faisalabad a few days later he scored his first Test half century. On 18 December he debuted in One day International cricket but was dismissed by Waqar Younis for no score.

Further with few international game experiences Tendulkar developed into a world-class batsman. On the tour of Australia in 1991-92 while playing at Sydney he scored 148 not out while at Perth he scored another hundred on a bouncy and fast track. At this time Allan Border was told by Merv Hughes that “This little prick’s going to get more runs than you, AB.”

In the 1996 Cricket World Cup Tendulkar topped the batting averages, scored two centuries and was the leading run score. Sachin was not only good with the bat but also with the ball. We have seen Tendulkar bowling Googly, Off-break, Leg-break and the Medium paced In-Swingers and Out-swingers. In the World-Cup match against Australia he led the team by taking 5 wickets that of Damien Martyn, Tom Moody, Darren Lehmann, Steve Waugh and Michael Bevan in 10 overs by conceding 32 runs.

One of the most memorable performances of Sachin Tendulkar came in the Coca-Cola Cup in 1998 where he toiled with the Australian bowling attack consisting of Shane Warne, Damien Fleming,Michael Kasprowicz and Tom Moody the current Sri Lankan Cricket Coach. Here he went on to score three centuries which included two consecutive ones to keep India into the hunt for the Cup and the last one coming in the finals to destroy Australian hopes.

Tendulkar’s entry into the game changed the way people approached it while playing. Batsmen started copying him but none could reach at the excellence level where Sachin has reached. Still those who could copy him or learn from him have reached at a reasonably respectable position in International Cricket. He is an Idol for infinite number of people across the globe. Even people who do not follow cricket respect him for his deeds to the game.

Indian Cricket fans have crossed each and every limit of awarding Sachin with numerous comments and even calling him God in statements like “ Cricket is my Religion and Sachin is my God.” Even Australian Cricketer Matthew Hayden does not stay behind in commenting on Sachin and says “I have seen God.He bats at no:4 in India in Tests.” For the expertise which Sachin has achieved in batting and specially the Leg Glance or the flick of the pads Pakistani Cricketer Waqar Younis Says,” He can play that Leg Glance even with a Walking stick.”

Tendulkar was made the icon player and captain for his home side, the Mumbai Indians in the inaugural Indian Premier League Twenty20 competition in 2008. As an icon player, he was signed for a huge sum of US$1,121,250, 15% more than the second-highest paid player in the team, Sanath Jayasuriya.

Major achievements

• Arjuna Award, by the Government of India in recognition of his outstanding achievement in Cricket, 1994.
• Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian award, 1999.
• Wisden Cricketer of the Year: 1997.
• Player of the tournament in 2003 Cricket World Cup.
• ICC World ODI XI: 2004, 2007.
• Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian award, 2008.
• He is first cricket player to score 200 in ODI.
• He has been made the Brand Ambassador for the Cricket World Cup by the International Cricket Council.