Sachin Tendulkar — The Master's Career, Records & Legacy
Sachin Tendulkar is cricket's all-time leading run-scorer in both Tests and ODIs. Learn about his 24-year career, 100 international centuries, and why he is considered the greatest batsman of the modern era.
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is the greatest batter in the history of international cricket by the measure of cumulative runs scored. Over a 24-year international career spanning 1989 to 2013, Tendulkar scored 15,921 Test runs (average 53.78) and 18,426 ODI runs (average 44.83) — both all-time world records. He also scored 100 international centuries (51 in Tests, 49 in ODIs), the only player in history to reach this milestone. Known as the 'Master Blaster' or simply 'the Master', Tendulkar's career coincided with Indian cricket's global rise and is inseparable from it.
Debut at 16 — Pakistan 1989
Tendulkar made his Test debut against Pakistan in Karachi in November 1989 at the age of just 16 years and 205 days. He was struck on the mouth by a Waqar Younis bouncer but refused to leave the field. This debut — fearless against one of cricket's most frightening pace attacks — set the tone for his entire career. Tendulkar would face the best bowlers in the world across three decades and consistently perform at the highest level.
The 100 centuries
No player in the history of international cricket has scored 100 centuries — except Tendulkar. He reached the milestone in March 2012 against Bangladesh in Mirpur, his 100th international hundred coming four years after his 99th (a wait that generated enormous media attention in India). The 100 centuries stand as one of sport's most unlikely records — Ricky Ponting, the next highest, has 71. The gap to the second-place holder makes Tendulkar's record one of the most unassailable in any sport.
The Desert Storm ODI — Sharjah 1998
While Tendulkar's Test record defines his greatness, his ODI brilliance at times surpassed even that. In the 1998 Coca-Cola Cup in Sharjah, Tendulkar scored two brilliant centuries against Australia in consecutive matches — 143 and 134 — carrying India to the final. The knock of 143 was played in a sandstorm and is often cited as among the greatest ODI innings ever played. Shane Warne later described trying to bowl at Tendulkar in Sharjah as a 'nightmare' and said Tendulkar was the best batsman he ever bowled to.
The 2011 World Cup
Tendulkar's final major ODI ambition — winning the Cricket World Cup — was achieved in 2011 when India won the tournament at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Tendulkar was the tournament's leading run-scorer and was carried on his teammates' shoulders at Wankhede after the final. He later described it as the best moment of his career. He retired from Test cricket in November 2013 after his 200th Test, played at Wankhede, giving a famous farewell speech from the middle of the ground.
Frequently asked questions
How many Test runs did Sachin Tendulkar score?
Sachin Tendulkar scored 15,921 Test runs at an average of 53.78 in 200 Test matches — the all-time record for Test runs. He also holds the record for ODI runs (18,426) and international centuries (100). No other player has come close to the combined volume of his international run-scoring.
When did Sachin Tendulkar retire?
Sachin Tendulkar retired from all forms of international cricket in November 2013, after his 200th Test match against West Indies at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. He had already retired from ODI cricket in December 2012 and T20 internationals in October 2012. His retirement marked the end of a 24-year international career.
How many international centuries did Sachin Tendulkar score?
Sachin Tendulkar scored 100 international centuries — 51 in Test cricket and 49 in ODIs. No other player in cricket history has scored 100 international hundreds. Ricky Ponting is second with 71. Tendulkar reached the milestone in March 2012 against Bangladesh.