Tendulkar sets world record with double-century

[Neo]

Tendulkar sets world record with double-century

Wednesday, 24 Feb, 2010

Tendulkar smashed 25 fours and 3 sixes in his 147-ball double century. -Photo by AP Cricket

GWALIOR, India: Sachin Tendulkar scored the first ever double century in one-day international cricket in a display of majestic authority for India against South Africa at Roop Singh Stadium on Wednesday.

Tendulkar finished with 200 not out in eclipsing the previous highest score of 194, jointly made by Zimbabwe’s Charles Coventry against Bangladesh in Bulawayo last August and Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar against India at Chennai in May 1997.

Tendulkar reached the landmark in the last over off 147 deliveries — featuring 25 boundaries and three sixes — and carried his bat through, helping India amass 401-3 in the allotted 50 overs.

The nearly 30,000 in the partisan crowd went delirious as he surpassed the previous highest score in one-day international.

Tendulkar’s previous best was 186 not out against New Zealand at Hyderabad in November 1999.

He plundered runs from the Proteas almost at will with some dazzling cover drives and pull shots. He picked up deliveries from outside the off stump and hit them over mid-on for sixes and fours.

Tendulkar was involved in a record 194-run second-wicket partnership for India with Dinesh Karthik, who scored 79.

An aggressive knock of 68 not out off 35 balls by India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni highlighted India’s domination.

India lost Virender Sehwag early as he slashed hard at a delivery from fast bowler Wayne Parnell, trying to clear the third man boundary. He was caught by Steyn for 9.

However, Tendulkar was in sparkling form and punished Parnell for two successive boundaries in the first over he faced.

India reached 100 in 14.6 overs.

South Africa faced other problems on the field as well. JP Duminy injured his left palm as he tried to stop a powerful drive from Tendulkar on the off side in the fourth over. He later went on to bowl with a bandaged palm. He proved expensive as he came in for punishment from both Tendulkar and Karthik.

Charl Langeveldt also was hit by the ball and suffered a cut above his left. But he bowled for his side as runs rained from the blade of Tendulkar.

Parnell claimed 2-95, but the least expensive bowlers was Roelof van der Merwe with 1-62 in his 10 overs.

[vinod2070]

Quite a feat. The first touble ton in 2962 matches!

I get a feeling the next one will come a bit sooner.

A happy day for all Sachin fans. India won by 153 runs.

[Neo]

My uncle always used to say: "Saleh ne koi jinn pakar rakha hai".
I think he's right.

[Neo]

Congrats, Sachin!

02 25th, 2010

When Charles Coventry was hovering in the 180s against Bangladesh, I voiced my fear that Saeed Anwar’s record seemed in danger of being broken. In response, a friend said, “Bah! Don’t get too attached to records, it’s a sign of mediocrity.” While it was some consolation that Coventry didn’t actually break the record – he equalled it – the gloss was still removed from that proud feeling that my countryman held the world record for the highest individual ODI score. That too, one of the finest left-handed batsmen of his time, and there’s no hiding the fact that his feat was made extra-special owing to the fact that he scored the runs against India.

Once again, as Sachin Tendulkar reached 150 against South Africa, my fellow sports fan at Dawn.com and I gave each other nervous, knowing looks. He said that whenever Tendulkar reaches 150 (he has done it on no less than three previous occasions!), he starts getting anxious.

We stopped working when Tendulkar got to 160 and started calling and texting friends to inform them that Saeed bhai’s record was under threat from the master-blaster. And as he reached 180, with almost eight overs to spare, we had resigned ourselves to the fact that Tendulkar was on his way to another record.

So when he did it, there was nothing left to do but stand up and applaud the monstrous effort. I mean, if there is anyone who deserves to hold the record, it’s Tendulkar. I’d rather have Tendulkar break Anwar’s record than any other batsman, especially if that batsman is an Indian. How would I have felt, for example, if Sourav Ganguly had done it? (Apologies to Indian fans, but that guy was really annoying). Or, for that matter, would my feelings have been as bittersweet if Coventry had actually broken the record?

The fact that Tendulkar smashed his way past Anwar’s grand total against a highly respected South African side – albeit on a cemented Gwalior pitch where the Protean bowlers averaged eight short-pitched deliveries per over – made the accomplishment even more commendable. I even found myself getting mad at M.S. Dhoni for taking most of the strike after Tendulkar had crossed 194, reducing his chances of making a double ton. Who makes 200 runs in an ODI, anyway?

Watching Tendulkar break Anwar’s record was surreal. It was also heartbreaking at times. But most of all, it was fantastic! Really, Sachin ala re bhaiya!

Hafsa Adil is a sports editor at Dawn.com.

[Lady Macbeth]

Originally Posted by Neo

My uncle always used to say: "Saleh ne koi jinn pakar rakha hai".
I think he's right.

Red Bull energy drink should ask him to endorse their product, afterall most Indian celebrities love endorsing product lines.

Well done Sachin!

[vinod2070]

^^ He endorses Boost energy drinks already. Along with Dhoni.

[Xeric]

The guys is a legend.

[Al-Zakir]

As a cricket fan, I appreciate his success.

How the hell this guy get all the power from?

[Neo]

Originally Posted by Al-Zakir

As a cricket fan, I appreciate his success.

How the hell this guy get all the power from?

I told you, us ne ek jinn pakar rakha hai.

[Lady Macbeth]

Originally Posted by Al-Zakir

As a cricket fan, I appreciate his success.

How the hell this guy get all the power from?

Dabur ka Chyawanprash!!

YouTube - Dabur Chyawanprash Ad - 2 Spoons

YouTube - Dabur Chyawanprash Ad - 2 Spoons