Sachin Tendulkar finally registered his 100th international century after scoring his last ton more than a year ago during the 2012 Asia Cup match against Bangladesh on March 16.
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369 days of torment and hurt. Every time he stepped out on the cricketing field, the anticipation would just build. Whenever he batted, he was on the cusp of history. When he was dismissed, there would be sadness and heartbreak which would be hard to measure. When he scored a century, no one ever imagined that the wait for the next century would involve a year’s wait. A year that saw India suffer torment and led to the belief that it might never happen. Sachin Tendulkar and his wait for a historic 100th international century is a stuff of legends and one when he achieved it finally, the relief was simply overwhelming.
Tendulkar was the gold standard of batting from the 90s till the first decade of the 21st century. He was the leading run-getter in ODIs and Tests, had the most centuries in both the formats and had also starred in multiple World Cups as the leading run-getter. In the 2011 World Cup, Tendulkar smashed centuries against England and South Africa. When he scored his ton against South Africa in Jamtha, Nagpur, it was his 99th international century.
Tendulkar was on the cusp of achieving something special. Another century would make him the first batsman in history to score 100 international centuries, having smashed 51 Test centuries and 48 ODI centuries. However, what followed for the next year would be traumatic.
When he hit the 99th century, the expectations that Tendulkar would hit a century soon would grow. In every match, whenever Tendulkar failed, there would be anxiety. Many felt that he would get the century against Australia, his favorite team in the quarterfinal. However, he fell for fifty. In the semi-final against Pakistan, he was dropped four times and survived an LBW appeal. Many in Mohali felt that it would be the day. Tendulkar was dismissed for 85.
In the final, fans expected that on the bigger stage, a massive milestone would be achieved. Tendulkar fell cheaply but his failure was pushed behind. ndia gave 1.3 billion Indians plenty to smile by winning the World Cup for the second time. After the end of the World Cup, India toured England and Tendulkar failed at Lord’s, the home of cricket.
At The Oval, India was staring down the barrel. But, Indian fans hung on to the belief that the pain of a 0-4 whitewash would be dulled. Tendulkar was nearing his 100th ton. The right-hander was dropped twice and he benefited from a missed stumping. Tendulkar neared a ton as he reached 91. But, Tim Bresnan trapped him LBW and the heartbreak was prolonged.
With each passing time, Tendulkar’s 100th century was now becoming a major talking point. In the series against West Indies, there was high anticipation. Tendulkar would finally get the 100th century in front of his home fans in Mumbai. However, that dream ended on 94 when Darren Sammy took the catch off Ravi Rampaul.
When India reached Australia, all eyes were on Tendulkar’s 100th century. At Melbourne, Tendulkar was out for 73. In Sydney, there was hope that he could get his 100th ton there. However, on 80, Michael Clarke ended the dream when he dismissed him and Australia went on to whitewash them 4-0.
The wait finally ended but it would be bittersweet. In the Asia Cup 2012 match against Bangladesh on March 16, Tendulkar pushed a flighted ball from Shakib Al Hasan. The Monkey was off his back. When he took the single, Tendulkar had finally become the first man on the planet to score 100 international centuries. The milestone was bittersweet.
Tendulkar scored 114 off 147 balls and it was his ‘slow’ knock that allowed Bangladesh to win the match. The loss knocked India out of the tournament. Tendulkar announced his retirement from ODIs in the next match against Pakistan. In that match, Virat Kohli smashed 183.
Tendulkar might have notched up records galore in international cricket, but his 369-day wait for the 100th ton made a lot of fans anxious.
