Sachin Tendulkar: The legend turns 40

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India's batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar turns 40. As he reaches the twilight of his career here is a look at some of his great knocks.

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49th century, March 16, 2012: Sachin Tendulkar completed the much-awaited 100th international hundred of his career during the fourth ODI of the Asia Cup against Bangladesh.

This was also his 49th ODI century.

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48th century: Sachin Tendulkar slammed his 48th ODI hundred against South Africa at Nagpur. It was his second of the ICC World Cup 2011 and his sixth in World Cups overall.

Tendulkar scored 111 runs during his 101-ball stay at the crease. His dazzling knock ended when JP Duminy caught him at point off Morne Morkel. (AFP Photo)

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47th Century: After failing to score in the World Cup opening match against Bangladesh, Sachin Tendulkar brought up his 47th ODI hundred in style against England in Bangalore. He hit four sixes and eight fours in his 103-ball century. He made 120 off 115 balls before England pacer James Anderson dismissed him.

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46 Century: Sachin Tendulkar became the first batsman ever to score 200 runs in the history of the 50-over game. With this knock, Sachin broke the record of the highest One-Day International score of 194 runs held jointly by Pakistan's Saeed Anwar and Zimbabwe's Charles Coventry during his knock of 46th ODI hundred.

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45th Century: It seemed like an impossible task. India were chasing 351 runs for victory in the 5th match of the ongoing India-Australia series. The middle order crumpled, Sachin stayed on. Probably the most exciting run chase of the year, Saching kept scoring all around the ground. Maximising advantage of an injury hit Aussie bowling attack, Sachin kept hopes of a billion Indians alive by leading India very close to a victory. But the tables immediately turned when Sachin was caught at Short Fine Leg at a score of 175 runs. With the fall of Sachin, fell the hopes of an entire nation, and the mesmerising run chase fell short by just 3 runs.(AFP Photo)

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44th Century: On September 14, 2009, Sachin wisely held the Indian innings together and scored 138 runs against the Lankans, at the Premadasa stadium in Colombo to lead India to victory. (AFP Photo)

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43rd Century: If anybody knows how to do it in style, it has to be Sachin Tendulkar. Waiting a full year after his 42nd century, Sachin impressed everybody with an unbeaten 163 against New Zealand on March 6, 2009 at AMI Stadium, Christchurch. Announcement made, Sachin is back.

Anil says: Simply Incredible . he is showing us real sporting blockbusters with his magical knocks for 20 yrs.Lot of things to learn from him. thanks for feeling us proud. (AFP Photo)

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42nd Century: Sachin had hit a rough patch by now. Critics were harsh on him and people wanted to see the old Sachin back. Battling average form and the tongues of his critics, he silenced everybody with an unbeaten 117 against Australia in the Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia on March 2, 2008.

Nagaraj says: Dear Sachin We all Love you. It was wonderful and well executed Century. We all proud of you. May God Bless you with many more centuries Good Luck & Take Care. (AP Photo)

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41st Century: On January 31, 2007, Sachin scored an unbeaten 100 to establish his 41st century. Playing at IPCL Sports Complex Ground in Vadodara against West Indies, Sachin scored at an impressive strike rate of 131.57 leading India to victory. (AP Photo)

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40th Century: Tendulkar had slowed down by now and so had his centuries. His 40th century came on September 14, 2006 at the Kinrara Academy Oval in Kuala Lumpur against West Indies when he hit an unbeaten 141 runs. Unfortunately, just like his previous three centuries, India lost this match as well. (AP Photo)

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39th Century: Sachin's 39th century came against Pakistan on February 6, 2006 when he scored a hundred runs playing at Arbab Niaz Stadium in Peshawar. It is ironical that Sachin's last three centuries came against Pakistan and India still lost those three matches.(AFP Photo)

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38th Century: Sachin's next century came again against Pakistan. Although this century came after a gap of more than a year on April 12, 2005 at Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, Sachin's 123 could not win the match for India who had another defeat to Pakistan on their records. (AP Photo)

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37th century: March 16, 2004. It was an India Pakistan match which India went on to lose. Playing at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi, Sachin knocked the ball all around the ground to score 141 runs again at a strike rate of more than a run a ball.

Priya Kumar says: We congratulate you for not only your great achievement, but for keeping the intensity of your motivation and enthusiasm through all these years. (AFP Photo)

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36th century: Bowlers were finding it hard to put a stop to Sachin's menace. Sachin hit his 36th century playing against New Zealand scoring 102 runs at the Lal Bahadur Shastri stadium in Hyderabad, winning the match for India on November 15, 2003.
Raman Vinayak says: Sachin bravo! Cricket is worship and you are GOD. (AFP Photo)

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35th Century: The master batsman got his 35th ODI ton against Australia on October 26, 2003 in Gwalior that resulted in India's 37-run win over the World Champions.

Karthik says: Great going Sachin.. keep it up.. 20000 is just a 2800 odd runs away for u.. :) (AFP Photo)

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34th Century: Sachin went without a century for nearly half a year. He then hit his 34th ton against Namibia at the City Oval, Pietermaritzburg on February 23, 2003. Sachin for the second time managed to score in excess of 150 runs with a score of an unbeaten 152 coming at nearly a run a ball.

Vijay says: It's one of the greatest knock by our Sachin. How I wish the other team members also could have contributed their mite in making this milestone an unforgettable one.Watching the other team members play against Aussie Babes was a frustrating experience. However, Our sachin lived upto his reputation. LOOOOOOOOOOONG LIVE SACHIN (AP Photo)

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33rd Century: Just a week later on July 11, 2002, he scored a very fast 113 against Sri Lanka at the County Ground, Bristol, leading team India to victory. This was again while batting at the number four spot.

Priya says: Simply awesome...Great going Sachin!! (AFP Photo)

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32nd Century: His first century against England came after being nearly a decade in the sport on July 4, 2002. He scored an unbeaten 105 batting at the number four spot at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street. This was his second century batting at the number four spot.

Nagaraj says: Dear Sachin, We all love you. It was a wonderful and well executed century. We are all proud of you. May God bless you with many more centuries. Good Luck & Take Care.(AFP Photo)

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31st Century: Another good innings with a score of 146 came on October 24, 2001 when he helped India win at the Boland Park, Paarl against Kenya.

Ajat says: Enjoy your cricket. we do as much as you do..:) (AP Photo)

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30th Century: In a losing battle against the Proteas on October 5, 2001, Sachin scored his 30th ODI century at the New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg. He made 101 runs at a strike rate of 78.29.

Pravinaman says: Please tell other batsmen to perform better.. (AP Photo)

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29th Century: Sachin scored his second century against the Windies on July 4, 2001 at the Harare Sports Club in Harare scoring an unbeaten 122 runs leading India to a win.

Nikhil Aggarwal says: Its so good 2 see master blaster still blasting big crackers with over 17000 runs in odi cricket what seems to be his next target.....may be 18000 runs....(AP Photo)

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28th Century: Another match with Australia, another century for Sachin. On March 31, 2001, Sachin scored 139 runs at more than a run a ball to lead India to victory against the Aussies at the Nehru Stadium in Indore.

Abhay Bhinge says: Fantastic century by a Fantastic person, may god bless with many more achievements. (AP Photo)

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27th Century: On December 8, 2000, India had a shocker of a defeat to Zimbabwe at the Barkatullah Khan Stadium in Jodhpur. Even a fantastic 146 run knock by Sachin could not save India from a surprising defeat.

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26th Century: On October 20, 2000, Sachin kept fighting the Lankan bowling attack on his own and stood his ground. He scored 101 runs but could not lead India to a win. This, at one of his luckiest, the Sharjah stadium.

Gurunath Desigan says: I Love Sachin always. Proud of him. (AP Photo)

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25th Century: His first century of the new millennium came on March 17, 2000 when he scored 122 runs against the Proteas at the IPCL Sports Complex Ground in Vadodara. Like most of Sachin's centuries, this one too resulted in a win for India.

Eisha: Sachin is GOD. We worship him ! (AFP Photo)

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24th Century: On November 8, 1999 Sachin scored his highest ODI score in an inning when he hammered the New Zealand bowlers for an unbeaten 186 runs at the Lal Bahadur Shastri stadium in Hyderabad which India comfortably won.

Garima: Long live Sachin !(AFP Photo)

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23rd Century: On August 29, 1999, Sachin returned with the first century of his second captaincy stint. He scored 120 runs against Sri Lanka helping India to a win at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. (AFP Photo)

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22nd Century: Even with the recent loss of his father, Sachin wasn't ready to slow down. The most dangerous batsman in the world showed Kenya who the real cricketing giant was when he scored an unbeaten 140 runs at a strike rate of 138.61 on May 23, 1999 at County Ground in Bristol. He dedicated this century to his late father Ramesh Tendulkar. This was Sachin's first ODI century where he did not open the innings. (AFP Photo)

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21st Century: 5 days later, on November 13, 1998, Sachin scored another century. This time it was even quicker than his last one. He scored 124 not out at an outstanding strike rate of 135 leading India to another comfortable win against Zimbabwe at Sharjah. (AFP Photo)

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20th Century: Sharjah has proved to be really lucky for Sachin in the past. November 8, 1998 was no different. Sachin completed his 20th ODI century playing against Zimbabwe. He scored 118 runs not out at strike rate of 105.35. (AFP Photo)

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19th Century: October 28, 1998: This time we are in Dhaka but the opposition is the familiar Aussie side. Sachin keeps giving them nightmares as he scored a quick 141 runs leading India to another victory over Australia. (AFP Photo)

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18th Century: In what was yet another victory for team India, Sachin added another century to his records, scoring 127 not out against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on September 26, 1998.With this century, Sachin surpassed West Indian Desmond Haynes' record of the maximum ODI centuries. (AFP Photo)

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17th Century: Hitting centuries one after the other had become a habit for Sachin by now. On July 7, 1998 he scored his 17th century leading India to victory against Sri Lanka at the Premadasa stadium in Colombo. Sachin scored 128 runs at nearly a run a ball. (AFP Photo)

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16th Century: On May 31st, 1998, Sachin scored his 16th century against Kenya. He scored a hundred runs not out at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata leading India to victory. (AFP Photo)

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15th Century: This was the time when Australia really had no answer to the unstoppable force called Sachin. On April 24, 1998, bitter from the last match's loss, Sachin scored yet another century this time leading India to a win. He scored 134 runs at a strike rate of 102.29. (AFP Photo)

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14th Century: Sachin had already started giving his opposition nightmares. On April 22, 1998 he single handedly fought Australia scoring a mammoth 143 runs. Although India lost, nobody could forget that particular innings of his at Sharjah. (AFP Photo)

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13th Century: Sachin went century-less for nearly a year. On April 7, 1998 he came back to form with a century against Australia at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur. He scored a hundred runs again at a strike rate of more than a run a ball leading India to victory. (AFP Photo)

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12th Century: On May 14, 1997 at Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore, Sachin scored his second century against New Zealand and his 12th overall ODI century which was also his last century in his first captaincy stint. His 117 runs inning led India to a comfortable victory. (AFP Photo)

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11th Century: On February 9, 1997 at Willowmoore Park in Benoni, unstoppable Sachin showed the Zimbabweans why he was the most dangerous batsman in the world. Leading India to victory, he scored 104 runs at more than a run a ball. (AFP Photo)

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10th century: On December 14, 1996, Sachin's tenth ODI ton helped India register a win against South Africa at Sachin's home ground Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. Opening the innings, Sachin made 114 runs at a strike rate of 90.47.

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9th Century: His 9th century came on August 28, 1996. A day of mixed feelings for Sachin as even though he scored his first century as skipper, India still lost the match to Sri Lanka. Sachin scored 110 runs at a strike rate of 79.71 playing at the Premdasa stadium in Colombo.

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8th Century: Exactly 10 days later India got its revenge against Pakistan and Sachin got his eight ODI century. Opening the inning for India, Sachin scored 118 runs at a strike rate of 84.28, at the Sharjah stadium. (AFP Photo)

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7th century: Another century for Sachin, yet another loss for Team India. Even though Sachin kept his majestic form going, scoring 100 runs against Pakistan, India still ended up losing the match at The Padang, Singapore.

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6th century: Even though Sachin put up a fight, India tasted defeat at the hands of the Lankans on March 2, 1996 at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi. A focussed Sachin kept on going while wickets kept falling at regular intervals. He scored 137 runs of 137 balls. Yet, for the first time his century could not culminate into a win for India. (AFP Photo)

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5th century: His fifth century came again in India when he scored an unbeaten 127 at the Barbati stadium in Cuttack at a strike rate of 92.02 against the Kenyans on February 18,1996. All of his first five centuries helped India register victories in those particular matches. (AFP Photo)

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4th century: Sachin went on without a century for nearly 5 months till April 9, 1995 when opening the innings, he scored a blisteringly quick century staying not out at a score of 112 at a strike rate of 104.67. This smashing inning of his won India the match against Sri Lanka at Sharjah. (AFP Photo)

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3rd century: Sachin's majestic form continued as just two weeks later on November 11, 1994 he scored his third century against West Indies at Jaipur. Sachin scored 105 runs at a strike rate of 78.35 this time.

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2nd century: His second century came just a month later on October 28, 1994 against New Zealand at Vadodara. This was also Sachin's first ODI century in India. Opening the innings, he scored 115 runs at a strike rate of 84.55. (AFP Photo)

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1st century: On September 9, 1994 at the Premdasa Stadium in Colombo, the little master scored the first of his 48 centuries playing against Australia scoring 110 runs at a strike rate of 84.61. (AFP Photo)

India vs Pakistan 2012 Photos

Sachin Tendulkar: The legend turns 40

India's batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar turns 40. As he reaches the twilight of his career here is a look at some of his great knocks.