Sachin Tendulkar

There has never been any doubt in his homeland that Tendulkar is the greatest sportsman ever but Tendulkar has steadily gained the admiration of the rest of the cricketing world too. Tendulkar made his debut on tour to Pakistan in 1989, hitting 59 at Faisalabad in his second Test. He really served notice as to his burgeoning talent, however, in making 119 against England at Old Trafford the following year.
Since then he has gradually grown into a role as Test middle-order run-maker and one-day big-hitting opener. With small hands and a huge bat, Tendulkar follows the model of wristy, stroke-playing Indian batsmen. He is also an occasional but effective bowler of several styles, his only five-wicket haul being at a cost of 32 against Australia in 1998.
Tendulkar was in his 79th one-day international, playing against Australia at Colombo in 1994, when he hit his first century in the shortened game but his 18th century, against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo just four years later placed him at the top of the list, passing Desmond Haynes in the 100-scoring stakes. F
ollowing that first century he was increasingly moved to the top of the order so that his stroke-placement could make the most of early fielding restrictions. Tendulkar gradually developed into a complete one-day batsman, mainly because of the immense responsibilities thrust upon him by that tactic.
He had to attack, inspire his partners, and give the innings the momentum at the top. Whether that performance under pressure extends to his captaincy skills is open to debate, however. His first spell as captain ended after 1997 Sharjah series, in which the team had fallen to West Indies, England and Pakistan, in the course of five days.
Tendulkar dealt with the disappointment in the best way possible, smacking two centuries on his return to Sharjah the following year, but by then Mohammad Azharuddin had returned to the helm of the side. He was named as skipper again following India's disappointing World Cup campaign.



One-Day Batting Record

Matches
Innings
NotOut
Runs
Highest
Average
100s
50s
Catches
246
239
22
9108
186*
41.97
25
46
83



One-Day Bowling Record

Overs
Maidens
Runs
Wickets
Average
Best
5 wickets
Strike Rate
Economy
828
17
4089
85
48.1
5/32
1
58.4
4.93