Gwalior, India – Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar made history on February 24, 2010, becoming the first male cricketer to score a double century in a One Day International (ODI) match. The "Master Blaster" achieved the monumental feat against South Africa at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium in Gwalior, India. His unbeaten knock of 200 runs off just 147 balls etched a new chapter in the sport's record books.
A Historic Feat in Gwalior[timesofindia+10]
Tendulkar's innings was a masterclass of batting, featuring 25 fours and 3 sixes. He reached his half-century in 37 balls, his century in 90 balls, and his 150 in 118 balls, demonstrating a remarkable acceleration. The Indian team posted a formidable total of 401 for 3 wickets in their 50 overs, largely thanks to Tendulkar's efforts and a strong partnership with captain MS Dhoni. India went on to win the match by 153 runs.[timesofindia+12]
The South African bowling attack, which included formidable pacers like Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, and Charl Langeveldt, struggled to contain Tendulkar. His flawless display of strokes carved through the opposition, delighting nearly 30,000 fans in the stadium. As Tendulkar completed the historic single to reach 200, commentator Ravi Shastri famously exclaimed, "First man on the planet to reach 200 and it's the superman from India -- Sachin Tendulkar's 200 from 147. Take a bow, master."[timesofindia+12]
Breaking a Long-Standing Barrier[indiatoday+4]
For many years, scoring 200 runs in a men's ODI was considered an almost impossible task, often referred to as the "four-minute mile" of cricket. Before Tendulkar's innings, the highest individual score in men's ODIs was 194, a record shared by Pakistan's Saeed Anwar and Zimbabwe's Charles Coventry. It took 39 years and 2,962 ODI matches for a male batter to finally breach the 200-run mark. However, Australian cricketer Belinda Clark had achieved a double century in women's ODI cricket back in 1997, scoring an unbeaten 229 runs.[livemint+9]
Tendulkar's achievement was not only a personal milestone but also a barrier-breaking moment for the sport. Many believed the aggressive scoring needed for such a feat was too risky for the longer ODI format. His innings proved that such records were attainable, changing the perception of what was possible in limited-overs cricket. He had come close to the mark before, with scores of 186 not out and 175 in previous matches.[indiatoday+4]
Tendulkar's Reaction and Legacy[scroll+1]
After his historic innings, a visibly emotional Sachin Tendulkar reflected on the achievement. "I don't know how to react to this," he said at the post-match presentation. "I would like to dedicate this to the people of India who have always stood behind me for these 20 years amid the ups and downs." He also mentioned enjoying his cricket and always playing in a way he felt was right for the team. At 36 years old, Tendulkar's remarkable fitness allowed him to bat through the entire 50 overs, showcasing his enduring dedication to the game.[timesofindia+3]
The impact of Tendulkar's double century was profound. It opened the door for other batsmen to achieve this milestone. Since 2010, several other male cricketers, including fellow Indians Virender Sehwag and Rohit Sharma, have gone on to score double centuries in ODIs. Rohit Sharma, in particular, has achieved the feat three times and holds the record for the highest individual score of 264 runs.[timesofindia+8]
Tendulkar's innings in Gwalior solidified his status as one of cricket's all-time greats. His career, spanning over two decades, saw him accumulate more than 30,000 runs and 93 international centuries across Test and ODI formats. The double century was a testament to his skill, perseverance, and ability to continually redefine cricketing benchmarks, leaving an indelible mark on the sport's history.[livemint+3]
