Sachin Tendulkar Records: Celebrate Master Blaster's Glorious Cricket Career

The game of cricket has seen several legendary players over the years. However, none of them could become like Sachin Tendulkar, who still holds many records, even after more than a decade of retirement. Tendulkar, fondly known as Master Blaster, is also regarded as one of the most complete batters to have ever played the game. He was a clear match-winner on most of the days and carried the Indian batting on his shoulders for a no. of years.

He started his international career as a 16-year-old boy against a daunting pace attack of Pakistan comprising the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis. Imran Khan and Abdul Qadir. Such kind of a hostile bowling attack can put fears in the mind of any player, especially if he is making a debut at such an age. However, Tendulkar was undeterred and showed immense courage.

While he scored just 15 runs in the only innings he batted, he assured the world of cricket of extraordinary things in the upcoming years. As the years passed, he kept on piling records and dominated the opposition with ultimate superiority. Although most of his records are well-known by cricket fans, there are also some facts about Sachin Tendulkar that people need to know.

So, what makes him such a unique cricketer? The answer is quite straightforward. His ability can be seen in the no. of records that he made during his marathon international career. If we decide to look at Sachin Tendulkar records, we are sure to miss something, as there are way too many. However, on his 52nd birthday, we will have a look at some of his top records, which are still etched in the memories of a cricket fan.

Top 10 Sachin Tendulkar Records

1. Most Matches played in International cricket

Sachin Tendulkar has played a total of 664 matches in his international career, which is the most by any cricketer. These matches include 200 Tests, 463 ODIs, and 1 T20I. He is just ahead of Sri Lanka's Mahela Jayawardene in this list, who has played 652 international games. He has played the most no. of Tests and ODIs by any player.

Sachin Tendulkar records for the most no. of matches in Tests and ODIs will be hard to break for any player in the future. It is astonishing to see a cricketer play so many matches in his international career with the same passion and determination. Although there are a no. of modern-day greats in the game, they hardly come close to breaking this record.

2. Highest Run-Scorer in Test Cricket

Sachin Tendulkar currently holds the top spot for the most no. of runs scored in Test cricket. The Master Blaster has scored close to 16000 runs in Tests, which is a huge achievement in itself. He showed immense determination and consistency throughout his Test career and battled everything that came his way.

Test cricket is the hardest format to play, but Tendulkar played the format perfectly. He averaged more than 50 and struck 51 Test centuries in various conditions across the world. There were times when he went through poor form, and Sachin Tendulkar runs were hard to come by. But the Master Blaster passed every test with flying colors.

3. Highest Run-Scorer in ODI Cricket

Not only the Tests, but Sachin Tendulkar finished as the highest run-scorer in ODI cricket as well, and still holds the record. The Master Blaster has scored more than 18000 runs in the international 50-over format, which is mind-boggling. Tendulkar started his ODI career while batting in the middle order but was soon promoted to open as he was easily India's best batter at that time.

After the promotion in the batting order, there was no looking back as he plundered runs and won a no. of matches for India. He finished his ODI career with a magnificent average and a strike rate of more than 85, which is excellent if we look at the era when he batted. He was devastating in the powerplay against the fast bowlers in the powerplay and was equally successful against the spinners when the field was spread.

4. Most Hundreds in International Cricket

It is not just about Sachin Tendulkar runs, but also about the no. of hundreds that he scored in international cricket. Tendulkar has scored a staggering 100 international hundreds, which is by far the most by any cricketer. He struck 51 hundreds in Tests and breached the three-figure mark 49 times in the ODI format.

If we look at modern-day cricket, it is hard to believe a man scoring 100 international hundreds in his career, but such was Sachin Tendulkar's talent and temperament that he kept on creating records. While he is at the top of the list of most no. of hundreds, India's Virat Kohli is at the second spot with 82 centuries to his name so far. Sachin Tendulkar records are not easy to surpass for any player, but Kohli has already equalled him on the most no. of ODI hundreds.

5. First Man to Score a Double-Hundred in ODIs

While he is on top of the run-scoring list in both Tests and ODIs, there are also some facts about Sachin Tendulkar that some people might not be aware of. On February 24, 2010, the Master Blaster became the first man to score a double-hundred in ODIs. He achieved this milestone against South Africa in Gwalior. He was highly dominant against a bowling attack that comprised bowlers like Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, Charl Langeveldt, and Jacques Kallis.

Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 200 off just 147 balls with 25 fours and 3 sixes. India scored over 400 runs in this match and defeated South Africa by a huge margin of 153 runs in the end. It was a huge achievement in men's cricket as it opened the floodgates for the rest of the double-centuries in the years to follow.

6. Most Player of the Match Awards in International Cricket

One of the most famous Sachin Tendulkar records is the most Player of the Match awards in international cricket. Tendulkar has 76 Player of the Match awards in 664 international matches and is at the top of this list. The fact that he has played so many games in international cricket also helps but it shows his consistency for a long period of time.

Tendulkar achieved Player of the Match awards in different conditions against varied bowling attacks, which shows his versatility as a batter. Virat Kohli is second on this list with 69 Player of the Match awards so far. It is expected that he can surpass Tendulkar in the upcoming years since he is already in good form with the bat.

7. Highest Run-scorer in World Cup History

The Master Blaster is also the highest run-scorer in the history of World Cup. Sachin Tendulkar runs are the most in World Cups and he is the only batter to score more than 2000 runs in World Cups. Overall, Tendulkar has scored 2278 runs in 45 matches at an average of 57 and an impressive strike rate of 89.

He has struck 6 hundreds and 15 fifties in six World Cups that he has been a part of. After years of heartbreak, Tendulkar finally won the World Cup in 2011 when India lifted the title. He emerged as the second-highest run-getter of the tournament and India's highest run-scorer, thus playing a key role in India's victory.

8. Youngest Indian Player to make a Debut in International Cricket (men)

Tendulkar is also the youngest Indian male player to make an international debut. It is one of the facts about Sachin Tendulkar that very few people know. He made his debut against Pakistan when he was just 16 years and 205 days old. Hence, he became the youngest Indian player to represent the country at that time.

The young Sachin faced a brutal Pakistani bowling attack on his debut and showed tremendous courage. However, his record for the youngest Indian male international player was broken when women's opener Shafali Verma made her debut in 2019 at the age of just 15. But he still holds the record for the youngest male Indian player to play international cricket.

9. Longest Career in International Cricket

Tendulkar played for a mammoth 24 years in international cricket while representing India. He started playing international cricket in 1989 in a Test match against Pakistan and played his last match in 2013 in a Test against West Indies. During these years, he went through plenty of ups and downs but never showed disrespect to the game.

He was able to make some passionate fans as he became their favorite. The crowd would love to watch him play, which made him the superstar that he is today. At the time of his retirement, there were tears in almost everyone's eyes who was present at the Wankhede Stadium. He walked off the field to a rousing reception from his team and the spectators.

10. Only Cricketer to Play 200 Test matches

The maestro is also the only cricketer in the world to play 200 Test matches so far. He became the first person to achieve this milestone in 2013 during the last match of his career, against West Indies. The match was played at the iconic Wankhede Stadium as a sellout crowd gathered to watch their hero taking the international stage for the last time.

Tendulkar scored a fluent 74 in his final Test knock and helped India cruise to an easy win. The match is fondly remembered to be Sachin Tendulkar's final match of his career. While Tendulkar is at the top of this list, England's James Anderson is in the second spot with 188 Tests to his name.