This Day That Year: Master Blaster achieved the unthinkable in ODIs
One of the best batsmen of all time, Sachin Tendulkar became
the first batsman in One-day international cricket to hit a double century. He
achieved this remarkable against a top-quality South African bowling line-up
played at Roop Singh Stadium, Gwalior on 24th February 2010.
Indian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat
first. The Indian openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin started off brightly with an attacking approach. South Africa got the early breakthrough dismissing Sehwag
cheaply. Sachin Tendulkar looked in sublime touch putting the visitor's bowlers
under immense pressure.
Sachin made the batting look at ease and completed his fifty
off 37 balls. He along with Dinesh Karthik smashed the South African bowling-line
up comprising of Steyn, Morkel, Parnell, Charl Langldevt. Sachin played
according to the merit of the ball and made use of good batting conditions
reaching his century off 90 balls.
After completing his century, the master blaster upped the ante
and hammered the South African bowling line-up. He kept on hitting reaching his
150 off 118 balls showing sheer class. Sachin along with Dinesh Karthik, Yusuf
Pathan and MS Dhoni blasted away the South African bowling. The legend reached
the impossible by taking a single reaching it in 147 deliveries. He remained
not out on 200 off 147 balls with 25 fours and 3 sixes. Sachin’s brilliance
helped India post a mammoth total of 401 for 3 in 50 overs.
It was a great performance by the little master who showed
his class and made sure that India posted a massive total. In reply, South
Africa was not able to resist anything losing the match by a massive 153 runs.
For his brilliant 200 not out, Sachin Tendulkar was named the man of the match
award.
After Sachin Tendulkar's double century, Rohit Sharma has scored most double centuries with 3, Sehwag, Martin Guptill, Fakhar Zaman, and Chris Gayle have hit 200's in ODIs.
Sachin went on to play 463 ODI matches ( 452 innings) and
ended his ODI career as the highest scorer in 50 overs format. He made 18426
runs with a career-best score of 200*. In his ODI career, he smashed 49 centuries
and 96 half-centuries.
This Day That Year: Sachin Tendulkar became the first batsman in ODI cricket to hit a double century
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