Introduction
On March 16, 2012, the world of cricket witnessed something truly special. Sachin Tendulkar, known as the “God of Cricket,” made history by scoring his 100th international century. This was not just a personal record—it was a moment of pride for every Indian and every cricket fan around the world. It was a monumental milestone that no one had ever achieved before.
Who is Sachin Tendulkar?
Sachin Tendulkar is one of the greatest cricket players of all time. Born on April 24, 1973, in Mumbai, India, Sachin started playing cricket when he was just a little boy. He quickly became famous for his amazing batting skills. By the time he was 16, he was already playing for the Indian national team.
People loved watching him play because he was not only very talented but also very humble. He respected the game and always gave his best. Over his 24-year career, Sachin broke many records and won the hearts of millions.
What is a Century in Cricket?
Before we talk about the 100th century, let’s understand what a century in cricket means. In cricket, when a batsman scores 100 runs in a single match, it is called a century. Scoring a century is a big achievement because it shows that the player has played really well and helped their team.
Now imagine scoring 100 centuries! That means a player has scored 100 or more runs in 100 different matches. It is extremely rare and very, very hard to do.
The Journey to the 100th Century
Sachin Tendulkar scored his first international century in 1990 when he was only 17 years old. It was against England. From that day on, he kept scoring centuries in both Test matches and One Day Internationals (ODIs). Test matches are longer games that can last up to five days, and ODIs are shorter games played in one day.
For more than two decades, Sachin played for India and became a symbol of dedication and excellence. As the number of his centuries grew, fans started counting. Every time he scored a hundred, people cheered with joy. When he reached 99 centuries, the whole country waited eagerly for the 100th.
The Big Day: 100th Century
Finally, on March 16, 2012, Sachin Tendulkar scored his 100th international century. It was during an ODI match between India and Bangladesh in the Asia Cup. The match was played at Mirpur Stadium in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Sachin scored 114 runs in that game. Even though India did not win the match, Sachin’s century was the highlight. It was a moment of celebration not just for him, but for the entire cricket world. Everyone clapped, cheered, and celebrated this incredible achievement.
Why This Century Was So Special
Scoring 100 centuries in international cricket is something no one had ever done before Sachin. Many great cricketers have played the game, but none had reached this number.
This century showed Sachin’s hard work, passion, and love for the game. It took him 22 years and 1 month to reach this goal. He played 463 ODIs and 200 Test matches, scoring thousands of runs and making India proud.
Even when he was under pressure, Sachin never gave up. His 100th century showed that with dedication, patience, and effort, anything is possible.
How the World Reacted
When Sachin scored his 100th century, the whole world reacted with happiness. Cricket fans danced in the streets, news channels showed the highlights again and again, and social media was full of congratulations.
Famous cricketers like Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Brian Lara, and Ricky Ponting praised Sachin for his amazing career. The Indian Prime Minister and many leaders also congratulated him. It was a proud moment for India and a day to remember forever.
Lessons from Sachin’s 100th Century
Sachin Tendulkar’s journey teaches us many valuable lessons:
- Never give up: It took a long time to reach 100 centuries, but Sachin never quit.
- Work hard: Success doesn’t come overnight. Sachin practiced every day for years.
- Stay humble: Even after so much success, Sachin remained respectful and kind.
- Be patient: Good things take time. Sometimes we must wait for our big moment.
Records and Achievements
Besides his 100 international centuries, Sachin Tendulkar has many other records:
- Most international runs: Over 34,000 runs in Tests and ODIs combined.
- Most Test centuries: 51
- Most ODI centuries: 49
- First player to score a double century in ODIs (200 not out against South Africa in 2010)
These records show how brilliant and consistent Sachin was throughout his career.
Life After the 100th Century
After reaching his 100th century, Sachin continued playing for a while before retiring in 2013. His last Test match was played at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, his hometown. The entire nation watched with teary eyes as the legend said goodbye to cricket.
Even after retiring, Sachin continues to inspire people. He supports young cricketers, helps with charity work, and is a role model for everyone.
Conclusion
Sachin Tendulkar’s 100th century is more than just a number. It is a story of dreams, hard work, and greatness. It is a record that may never be broken. But more importantly, it is a reminder that if we believe in ourselves and keep trying, we can achieve amazing things.
To this day, kids in India and around the world grow up watching videos of Sachin’s 100th century, learning about his journey, and dreaming of becoming like him.
He is not just a cricketer—he is a legend, an icon, and a hero for millions.
