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Revision as of 08:04, 17 November 2003 by 128.6.5.16 (talk)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, (born April 24, 1973), is an Indian cricket player. He is widely regarded as the best cricket batsman currently playing the game, and in the opinion of many, not least Don Bradman himself, possibly even the greatest batsman since the Don retired in 1948. In fact the Don is reported to have said, "He (Sachin) reminds me of myself (the Don)".
Born in Mumbai (previously called Bombay) into a middle-class family, he played his first international match at the young age of 16 against Pakistan and the fiery pace of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. In one day cricket, he holds several records including most runs and maximum number of centuries. He has scored more than 12,000 runs in ODIs and more than eight thousand in Tests. He has 36 centuries in ODI's and 31 centuries in Test cricket, at an average of almost 58, well above the 50 average that distinguishes an international player as amongst the game's greats. All this has been achieved before he has even reached 30 years of age. He is also a reasonable bowler, and has a wide range of deliveries, ranging from seam up to offspin to leg spin. He has to his credit more than 100 wickets in ODIs in addition to his impressive batting record. He continues to perform well under the massive weight of expectation of hundreds of millions of Indian cricket followers, and was named Player Of The Tournament in the 2003 Cricket World Cup. Some of his more famous efforts are 114 against Australia at Perth in 1991-92, 179 against the West Indies at Nagpur in 1994-95, 169 against South Africa at Cape Town in 1996-97, 155 against Australia at Chennai in 1997-98, 136 agaist Pakistan in Chennai in 1998-99, 155 against South Africa in Bloemfontein in 2001-02 and 193 against England at Leeds in 2002. He seems to play his best cricket against the best teams, however he has been critisized for not leading India to more Test Match victories away from home. Only the last of the innings listed above led to an Indian victory abroad. Sachin has played several memorable and match winning one day international innings as well. His 98 against arch rivals Pakistan is said to be one of the best one day innings of all time.
Sachin's fame in his own country is such that he is virtually a prisoner in his own home, with his appearances in public causing near-riots amongst fevered fans. He reportedly takes his car for late-night drives around the city as a one of the few chances to escape the protective bubble he is forced to exist within.
Sachin is married to his childhood friend Dr. Anjali and has a daughter Sara (5) and a son Arjun (3).