Sachin Tendulkar Celebrates His 39 Today

BORN TO BAT (1988): As a schoolboy Sachin scored a century in almost every innings he played. His record partnership of 664 with his friend Vinod Kambli in a Harris Shield inter-school match is still fresh in the hearts and minds of every cricket fan.







DUKE OF YORK (1992): Sachin earned the distinction of becoming the first overseas-born player to represent Yorkshire in the English County Championship.

HOME HERO (1993): Tendulkar had to wait four years after his debut to score a century at home, but when it came it was one of his most memorable and dominating. His innings of 165 in Madras against England was studded with 24 fours and a six.

 FIRST ODI TON (1994): Soon after he started opening the innings, Sachin brought up his maiden one-day century.

REWARD FOR SUCCESS (1994): Sachin's sporting achievements are recognised by the Indian government, which bestows the Arjuna Award on him.

WORLD CUP SPLASH (1996): As with everything else in the game of cricket, Sachin would also come to dominate records in the World Cup. Playing the tournament for the second time, he topped the batting averages (87.16) as India were knocked out in the semi-finals.

HITTING IT OFF WITH THE DON (1998): Sachin met the late Sir Don Bradman during his 90th birthday celebrations. The Australian legend said he saw a lot of himself in the Indian maestro.

NO LOOKING BACK (2003): It was World Cup year again and Sachin dominated. India lost to Australia in the final, but Sachin emerged the highest run-scorer of the tournament, earning the best player award. While playing against Pakistan in the group match, Sachin scored his 12,000th ODI run.

HIGH PRAISE FROM RIVALS (2007): One of Sachin's greatest rival showered him with an unexpected compliment. Former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne names him at Number 1 on his list of 50 greatest cricketers ever. Sachin also became the first batsman to score 1,000 runs in a calendar year on seven separate occasions.

DOUBLE DHAMAKA (2010): It had been spoken about for a few years, but no batsman had managed to get it. It was only fitting then that Sachin Tendulkar should push the envelope once again by scoring the first ODI double century, a 200 not out against South Africa.

PROUDEST MOMENT (2011): Sachin got his hands on the one trophy that had eluded him through his career -- the World Cup. The master blaster was overjoyed and said, "Winning the World Cup is the proudest moment of my life. ... I couldn't control my tears of joy."