Sachin Tendulkar

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Lore & Background

Tendulkar took up cricket at the age of eleven, made his Test match debut on 15 November 1989 against Pakistan in Karachi at the age of sixteen, and went on to represent Mumbai domestically and India internationally for over 24 years. In 2002, halfway through his career, Wisden ranked him the second-greatest Test batsman of all time, behind Don Bradman, and the second-greatest ODI batsman of all time, behind Viv Richards. The same year, Tendulkar was a part of the team that was one of the joint-winners of the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy. Later in his career, Tendulkar was part of the Indian team that won the 2011 Cricket World Cup, his first win in six World Cup appearances for India. He had previously been named "Player of the Tournament" at the 2003 World Cup.

In Their Own Story

After Tendulkar played his last match in November 2013, the Prime Minister's Office announced the decision to award him the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award. He was the first sportsperson to receive the award and, as of 2024, is the youngest recipient. Having retired from ODI cricket in 2012, he retired from all forms of cricket in November 2013 after playing his 200th Test match. Tendulkar played 664 international cricket matches in total, scoring 34,357 runs. In 2013, Tendulkar was included in an all-time Test World XI to mark the 150th anniversary of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, and he was one of only two specialist batsmen of the post–World War II era, along with Viv Richards, to get featured in the team.

Reader's Guide

Tendulkar's early life saw him born into a Marathi family in Bombay. His father, Ramesh Tendulkar, was a Marathi-language novelist and poet while his mother, Rajni, worked in the insurance industry. Tendulkar's father named him after his favourite music director, Sachin Dev Burman. To help curb his bullying tendencies, his elder brother Ajit introduced Tendulkar to cricket in 1984. Ajit introduced him to cricket coach Ramakant Achrekar at Shivaji Park in Dadar. Achrekar was impressed with Tendulkar's talent and advised him to shift his schooling to Sharadashram Vidyamandir School. In 1988, while playing for Sharadashram, Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli batted in an unbroken 664-run partnership in a Lord Harris Shield inter-school game against St. Xavier's High School. Tendulkar scored 326 (not out) in that match and scored over 1,000 runs in the tournament.

Did You Know?

• Tendulkar was named after his father's favourite music director, Sachin Dev Burman.
• As a young boy, Tendulkar was considered a bully and often picked fights with new children in his school.
• At age 14, Tendulkar attended the MRF Pace Foundation to train as a fast bowler, but Dennis Lillee suggested he focus on batting instead.
• Tendulkar served as a ball boy in the 1987 Cricket World Cup semifinal between India and England in Bombay.
• In 1992, at age 19, Tendulkar became the first overseas-born player to represent Yorkshire.

Career Trajectory and Unmatched Records

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar's illustrious journey began when he took up cricket at the age of eleven, eventually representing Mumbai domestically and India internationally for over two decades. Making his Test debut against Pakistan in Karachi on November 15, 1989, at just sixteen years old, he quickly established himself as a prodigy. His career is defined by an unprecedented accumulation of statistics; he holds the world record for being the all-time highest run-scorer in international cricket with a staggering total of 34,357 runs across 664 matches. Uniquely, he remains the only batsman to have scored one hundred international centuries and has received more player-of-the-match awards than any other competitor globally. His longevity was remarkable, retiring from One Day Internationals in 2012 before concluding his entire career after playing his 200th Test match in November 2013.

Defining Moments and Major Triumphs

Throughout a career spanning twenty-four years, Tendulkar experienced both profound heartbreak and ultimate glory on the world stage. He participated in six Cricket World Cups, finally securing victory with India's win in the 2011 tournament, marking his first title after numerous previous attempts. His individual brilliance was recognized early; he was named Player of the Tournament at the 2003 World Cup and contributed significantly to India's joint-winning effort in the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy. By the halfway point of his career in 2002, Wisden Cricketers' Almanack had already ranked him as the second-greatest Test batsman ever, trailing only Don Bradman, and the second-best ODI player behind Viv Richards. These accolades underscored his status not just as a participant, but as a central pillar of global cricket history during his active years.

National Reverence and Civilian Honors

Beyond the boundaries of the pitch, Tendulkar evolved into a potent symbol of national pride for India, recognized for his influence far beyond sports. His contributions were formally acknowledged by the Indian government through a progression of prestigious awards: the Arjuna Award in 1994, the Khel Ratna in 1997, the Padma Shri in 1998, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2008. In a historic move following his retirement in 2013, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honor. This made him the first sportsperson to ever receive this distinction and, as of 2024, remains the youngest recipient. His public stature was further cemented when Time magazine included him in its list of the world's most influential people in 2010, acknowledging his massive cultural footprint.

Global Legacy and Hall of Fame Induction

Tendulkar's impact on the sport has secured his place among the absolute elite of cricket history. In 2013, to mark the 150th anniversary of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, he was selected for an all-time Test World XI, standing as one of only two specialist batsmen from the post-World War II era chosen alongside Viv Richards. His global recognition continued with the awarding of the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy at the 2010 ICC Awards, naming him cricketer of the year. The culmination of his legendary status arrived in 2019 when he was formally inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. Additionally, his influence extended to public service, serving as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha by presidential nomination from 2012 until 2018.