Sportco Birthday Special: Sachin Tendulkar | The G.O.A.T of Cricket turns 49!

Birthday Special: Sachin Tendulkar 🥳🤩🎂🎉

The date 24th April is nothing short of a national celebration in India, as India celebrates the birthday of one of the greatest if not the greatest cricketer of all time, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. 

There is hardly anyone who doesn't know about the accomplishments of Sachin, who graced the game of cricket for over two decades. The 'God of Cricket' turns 49 today, as he reaches yet another milestone, something that is not new for the great man.

Journey of Miles to Milestones

Travelling in Bus No. 315 from Bandra to Shivaji Park, the young Sachin was named after famous music composer Sachin Dev Burman. 

The local boy from Mumbai made his journey across the globe setting numerous records and achievements. Sachin was the ball boy for a World Cup game in 1987 and was aspired by the 1983 World Cup-winning team. 

In the 1980s when people would often follow Bollywood and politics in Mumbai, young Sachin was a coveted fan of two things - first cricket and then lesser-known fact, Tennis star John McEnroe. Sachin dedicated his younger days to cricket and aspired to represent his nation.

To date, the legend remains the only player to score a hundred in a Ranji Trophy, Irani Trophy and Duleep Trophy debut. 

The great lad made his debut for Team India in 1989 against Pakistan and the rest they say is history. Sachin would go on to represent the nation India in six World Cups but had to wait for the final attempt in 2011, to get his hands on the prestigious trophy.

Records were smashed left, right and centre by Sachin. Most runs, most runs in a calendar year, most hundreds, most 'Man of the Match' awards, Sachin was the true master with the bat. 

Although he never scored a triple hundred in Tests, he was the first player to score a double hundred in ODIs. 

Losing the World Cup in 2003 might have been a bitter pill to swallow as he struggled with Tennis-Elbow, an injury that kept him away from the game from 2004 to 2006. But Sachin was Sachin, he bounced back to make the Phoenix rise.

Birthday Special: Sachin in numbers

Age is just a number and numbers are just another figures for Sachin as he represented India in 463 ODIs and 200 Test matches, most by any player. 

With more than 33000 international runs and a century of international hundreds, the Master Blaster deserves a standing ovation. 

Not to mention his 27 'Nervous Nineties' which could have seen his number rise high for centuries. 

Astonishingly, Sachin has played in 90 different stadiums, a record in its own. Words and numbers don't justify his accomplishments as he remains a legend of the game.

Personal life

Sachin often listens to Lata Mangeshkar and Kishor Kumar and was seen attending the funeral of Lata didi when she passed away earlier this year. 

A member of the Rajya Sabha, he represented the house for six long years while he often spends time with friends and family. 

Sachin's 664-run stand with Vinod Kambli in the Harris Shield Trophy is still memorised as one best moments. 

His wife Anjali is like a success story as she continues to partner with him, while his daughter and son are his close mates often seen travelling with him.

Accomplishments

In 2013 Sachin became the first-ever sports personality in India to be honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award. The 'Wisden Cricketer of the Year,’ in 1998, Sachin was the second Indian to be named on the honorary list of awards. 

A remarkable personality on and off the field, the great Sachin Tendulkar turns 49 as he turns the clock to set up yet another milestone, here are we wishing him great success and a fruitful year ahead.........Happy Birthday Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar!!!