Sachin Tendulkar's Retirement Explained: The 200th Test and the Farewell Speech
Sachin Tendulkar's retirement from cricket — his 200th Test at Wankhede Stadium Mumbai (November 2013), the emotional farewell speech in which he thanked his father, the 35,000-word speech that became cricket's most replayed moment, his final statistics (15,921 Test runs, 34,357 international runs), and the cultural significance of his retirement to Indian cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar retired from international cricket after his 200th Test match — India vs West Indies at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, 14-16 November 2013. He announced his retirement on 10 October 2013; the 200th Test was organised as his farewell match at his home ground. India won the match by an innings. Tendulkar scored 74 in his only innings. The post-match presentation ceremony — Tendulkar's farewell speech — is cricket's most replayed off-field moment, spanning approximately 25 minutes and covering his family, teammates, and the BCCI.
The Numbers: Tendulkar's Final Statistics
At retirement, Tendulkar's statistics: Tests: 200 Tests, 15,921 runs, 53.78 average, 51 centuries, 67 fifties. ODIs: 463 ODIs, 18,426 runs, 44.83 average, 49 centuries, 96 fifties. Combined international: 34,357 runs from 663 international matches, 100 international centuries (the only player to reach 100 — Ricky Ponting is second with 71). He is the all-time leading run scorer in both Tests and ODIs — records that remained in 2025 in Tests (Ponting second: 13,378) and ODIs (Kumar Sangakkara second: 14,234). His 51 Test centuries is the most by any Test batsman — Australia's Steve Smith (35 at end of 2024) is the nearest active player.
The Farewell Speech
Tendulkar's post-match speech at Wankhede was delivered from the outfield to a packed crowd of 33,000. Key moments: He thanked his father (Ramesh Tendulkar, who died in 1999) directly — 'My father was so important to me. I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. I miss you a lot.' He thanked his wife Anjali: 'You've made so many sacrifices for my career. Without you, I probably wouldn't have been here.' He thanked India's cricket fans: 'If you hadn't supported me through all these years, this moment would not have been possible. You've been a constant source of strength.' The speech — delivered without notes, running approximately 20 minutes — was broadcast live across India, with major cities reporting reduced traffic as people stopped to watch. Tendulkar wept on multiple occasions; the crowd wept with him.
Cultural Significance
For Indian cricket, Tendulkar's retirement is the most significant individual sporting retirement in the country's history — comparable to Muhammad Ali's final fight in the United States or Pelé's retirement in Brazil. His career spanned India's transformation from a lower-middle-income country in 1989 to a G20 economic power in 2013 — he was a unifying figure for a country of 1.2 billion people who maintained near-universal reverence for him across the political, religious, and linguistic fractures of Indian society. The 2011 World Cup win (described in a separate article) came 28 years after India's 1983 title and was dedicated by the team to Tendulkar — a gesture that encapsulated his central place in Indian cricket for that generation.
Frequently asked questions
How many Test runs did Sachin Tendulkar score in his career?
15,921 Test runs from 200 Tests at a batting average of 53.78 — the all-time Test run-scoring record. He scored 51 Test centuries (also the all-time record) and 67 half-centuries. His ODI record: 18,426 runs from 463 matches at 44.83, with 49 centuries. His combined international total of 100 centuries across Tests and ODIs is a record no other player has approached — Ricky Ponting (71 centuries) is second.
When did Sachin Tendulkar retire?
Sachin Tendulkar announced his retirement from all international cricket on 10 October 2013. His final match was his 200th Test — India vs West Indies at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, 14-16 November 2013 (India won by an innings). Tendulkar had already retired from T20Is in 2012 and ODIs in March 2012, with the 200th Test being his final international appearance.
What did Tendulkar say in his farewell speech?
Key moments from Tendulkar's 20-minute farewell speech at Wankhede (2013): He thanked his late father Ramesh (who died in 1999): 'I miss you a lot.' He thanked wife Anjali: 'You sacrificed your career for mine.' He thanked Indian fans directly, crediting their support as 'a constant source of strength.' He thanked each of his teammates and coaches by name. The speech was delivered without notes and broadcast live; Tendulkar wept at several points, as did much of the capacity crowd.