On March 16, 2012, Sachin Tendulkar scored his 100th international century against Bangladesh during the Asia Cup. This unprecedented milestone remains unmatched in cricket history, with Virat Kohli closest at 82 centuries. Tendulkar’s journey to this achievement was fraught with challenges, and despite the historic significance, India lost the match.
Sachin Tendulkar, widely acknowledged as the greatest batter in cricket history, achieved a remarkable milestone on March 16, 2012, by scoring his 100th international century during an Asia Cup match against Bangladesh. This extraordinary feat remains unmatched, with Virat Kohli, who is currently the closest contender, holding 82 centuries to date. Although Tendulkar’s achievement was historic, it was bittersweet, as India ultimately lost the match against Bangladesh.
The path to his 100th century was not a straightforward journey; Tendulkar faced a challenging year, remaining just shy of the landmark for over a year. In this specific match, he reached his 49th one-day international century with a single off spinner Shakib Al Hassan but opted for a subdued celebration, reflecting the immense pressure he faced from fans and media.
In a post-match interview, he expressed the difficulties he encountered, stating, “I can’t think of anything at this stage, it has been a tough phase for me. I started off the season well but was luckless. It does not matter how many hundreds you score, you still have to grind it out.” Tendulkar’s last century prior to this achievement was against South Africa in the 2011 World Cup, where he scored 111.
Despite being presented with several opportunities during high-profile matches, including the World Cup final and tours of England and Australia, Tendulkar experienced moments of misfortune until he finally reached this monumental milestone.
Sachin Tendulkar’s accomplishment of scoring 100 international centuries on March 16, 2012, solidified his status as a cricketing legend. Despite intense pressure and the struggles he faced before achieving this landmark, he remains a revered figure in the sport. His journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring cricketers and highlights the challenges even the greatest athletes encounter.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
