Sachin Tendulkar scored his 100th century

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Sachin Tendulkar has gone down in the cricket record books as the first cricketer to ever score 100 centuries in history.

Tendulkar, who in currently in his 23rd year representing India in international cricket, scored his 100th century today, against Bangladesh in the Asia Cup after desperately pursuing it for over a year.

Tendulkar scored 114 runs in the match against Bangladesh before he was caught behind.

He spoke exclusively to Neo Cricket after India finished their innings, said: “Dreams do come true. I had to wait for one for 22 years.”

He celebrated his landmark by thanking the heavens and then pointing to the Indian flag on the top of his helmet, before he was praised by all the players of Bangladesh. The atmosphere all over the ground was electric as the fans stood up and applauded the ‘Little Master’.

Tendulkar’s last century came in the 2011 World Cup against South Africa at Nagpur, on the 12th of March 2011. Ever since then, everywhere he went, people have continuously asked him when he was going to score his 100th century. After a while, some critics deemed that Tendulkar would retire with only 99 centuries to his name.

Indian Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, was amongst the first people to congratulate Tendulkar on his milestone, and via a press release, said: “Tendulkar’s long career has been a triumph of class, character and courage. I wish him many more innings and feats to continue inspiring the youth.”

Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council, Haroon Lorgat, also via a press release, congratulated Tendulkar on his amazing career. “On behalf of every cricket fan around the globe I congratulate Sachin on becoming the first person to score 100 centuries for his country. This is indeed a magnificent feat and not likely to be easily emulated” he said.

Tendulkar scored his first century in 1990 against England at Old Trafford, where he made a sparkling unbeaten 119. His first ODI century, came in 1994 against Australia at Colombo, where he scored a brilliant 110 runs.

In the 188 test match career, Tendulkar has scored 15,470 runs, including 51 centuries. He has also represented India in a stunning 462 ODIs, having scored 18,374 runs, including 49 centuries, making him the most capped player in the history of the game.

Tendulkar also has a vast array of batting records, the best of which can be affiliated with the most runs and centuries scored in both formats of the game.

Lorgat also said how he, like everyone else, has watched Tendulkar from the beginning of his career. “Like millions of others I have personally followed his career ever since he first played for India as a gifted 16-year-old and now, more than two decades later, his passion and personal records, which include more than 33,000 runs at international level, is a modern day wonder” he said.

Tendulkar scored the most centuries of his career in 1998, making an unbelievable 12, while he has scored eight centuries three separate times as well, coming in 1996, 1999 and most recently in 2010.

As if this wasn’t enough to prove the impressive career he has had, Tendulkar has also scored 1000 or more runs in a year six times – 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2008 and in 2010.

Furthermore, he has scored 1000 or more runs in ODIs seven times in his illustrious career – 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003 and 2007.

With his 100th century now accomplished, Tendulkar can now play more freely, with all the pressure off his shoulders, and time will only tell how many more centuries the ‘Little Master’ will score before he calls it a day.