Sachin Tendulkar, India’s very own God of cricket, was 16-years-old when he was introduced to the international arena. His debut came against the mighty Pakistanis who had lethal bowlers such as Imran Khan, Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram in their ranks.nOn this day, 27 years ago, Tendulkar went on to score his first half-century. Sachin achieved this feat in his second Test itself. As a tribute to the living legend’s first milestone, we take you down memory lane on how he performed on his first tour.
It was November 15, 1989, when Sachin got his Test cap for India. He was all of 16 years and 205 days when he played his first Test innings. He made 15 runs before he was clean bowled by Waqar Younis. In the second Test match at Faisalabad, Tendulkar proved that age was just a number. Pakistan won the toss and chose to bowl with India 101/4, Ravi Shastri was the last man to depart. In walked Sachin Tendulkar who went on to post a 143-run partnership with Sanjay Manjrekar. Sachin’s 59 from 172 balls helped India consolidate the situation as India posted 288 in the first innings. In the second innings, Sachin made 8 before he was run-out. The match ended in a draw but everyone noticed that 16-year-old Sachin was meant for greater things in the coming years.
Saving India’s nose
Remember his fourth Test where Waqar Younis broke Sachin’s nose? India were 38/4 in the second innings of the last Test. Ravi Shastri had just been dismissed by Wasim Akram and India were struggling. It was a green top wicket and Waqar was charging in with his fiery bouncers. One such bouncers hit Sachin on his nose and he was lying flat on the ground. Non-striker Navjot Singh Sidhu rushed for his help and everyone on the field thought that Sachin would be carried out on a stretcher. Tendulkar stood his ground and said, ‘Main khelega’. Next ball, he smashed Younis for a boundary straight down the ground. He made 57 and saved India from falling out cheaply. It was his passion to represent the nation in the next two decades that made him the heartbeat of a country.
WATCH: Waqar Younis breaks Sachin’s nose
(Video Courtesy: YouTube.com/Jatindra Patra)
Half-centuries in Tests
Sachin has played 200 Test matches and scored 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78. He has 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries to his name along with numerous records. He has scored 16 half-centuries against Australia, 13 against England, 10 against West Indies, 8 against New Zealand, 7 against Pakistan, 6 against Sri Lanka, 5 against South Africa and 3 against Zimbabwe. The only Test playing nation that he hasn’t scored a half-century against is Bangladesh.
Sachin Tendulkar’s half-centuries in Test career
- (Cover Video Courtesy: YouTube.com/Trevor Byers Cricket)
