On This Day in 2010: Sachin Tendulkar creates history by becoming first cricketer to score 50 Test centuries

Breaking records and batsmanship of the highest order, always remained synonymous with the former India legend, Sachin Tendulkar. Known for playing some memorable knocks and scoring centuries in almost every nation in the cricket world, depicts his greatness. However, among those nations, playing in South Africa and scoring centuries was not less than any herculean task by a visiting batter.

Yet the ‘Master Blaster’ prevailed against the likes of the legendary pacer Allan Donald, Shaun Pollock, and more. The Indian batter kept on expanding his legacy and in the modern era also had a fair share of battles against a fiery Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn, as well. While in the twilight stages of their career, often legendary batters have found it tough to maintain their batting form.

But Sachin Tendulkar being one of the rarest breeds in the world of cricket, On This Day (December 19), continued his stellar batting rhythm even at the age of 37, against one of the best pace batteries and on one of the bounciest wickets in the world. Notably, during the first Test in Centurion, the India legend went on to score a terrific unbeaten century however for a losing cause. During his long stay in the crease, Tendulkar faced 241 balls and remained not out on 111* runs.

Remarkably, with this knock, he became the first player to have scored 50 centuries in the Test format. Not just that, during his sensational one-man army kind of knock, he also went past the 14,500 run mark in his illustrious Test career.

After scoring his 50^th Test hundred, Sachin Tendulkar sincerely dedicated the achievement to his late father, Ramesh Tendulkar. The batting maestro had revealed after his innings that a day before India’s second innings, it was his father’s birth anniversary and he wanted to do something special in loving memory of him.

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“It was his birthday yesterday and I wanted to do something in his honour. I also thank all the well-wishers and fans who have supported me throughout. Just keep supporting me like this and I will continue to perform. I was not chasing any record. I have never run behind records. But I am happy," Tendulkar said after the game.

Check out Sachin Tendulkar's iconic century moment here:

Check out how Tendulkar dedicated his 50th century to his father here:

Tendulkar's unbeaten 50th century went in vain for India

Now speaking of the game, Team India had a nightmarish start to the tour as the side got rattled in their first innings. After winning the toss, South Africa put India in to bat first to take advantage of the bounce and home conditions. The decision played to perfection as the Indian side got steamrolled on just 136 runs. Even at that stage, Tendulkar was the lone warrior as he top-scored for India with 36 runs to his name off just 34 balls.

Also Check: Sachin Tendulkar's Net Worth, Salary and Endorsements

However, South Africa pummelled the Indian side and scored a mammoth 620/4 as all rounder Jacques Kallis stole the show with an unbeaten double century (201* off 270 balls). If that was not enough for the visitors, Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers too scored centuries to add to the Indian bowling woes. While Captain Graeme Smith gave a solid start to the side with a half-century (62 off 87 balls). For India, only pacer Ishant Sharma and spinner Harbhajan Singh shared four wickets between each other.

The Indians were dealing with the daunting task of not just playing long to reduce the lead deficit but were also looking to save the match. In the second innings, in a rather contrasting performance, Team India had a rollicking start as openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir put up a 137-run stand. After their dismissals, Rahul Dravid tried to show some resistance in the middle before nightwatchman Ishant Sharma was dismissed cheaply.

However, this did not affect Sachin Tendulkar one bit as he produced a batting masterclass, courtesy of which, Team India fought hard by posting 459 runs. Even though the visitors lost the game by an innings and 25 runs margin, the cricket world saw the greatness of India’s finest batter even in the face of adversity.