14th August, 1990 - The day Sachin Tendulkar announced his arrival at the international stage

People had been flocking in numbers to watch him bat even when he was playing school cricket for Shardashram Vidyamandir. Whatever be the level, whichever be the venue, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar knew how to mesmerise those watching him, with his fluent stroke play.

He had conquered every barrier at the domestic level, to earn a national cap at the age of 16, when India toured Pakistan. The youngster got hit on his nose during that series but showed nerves of steel to continue playing. He would go on to score two half-centuries in the series.

But Tendulkar’s big moment came in England, a year later. The second Test at Manchester’s Old Trafford saw England notch up a huge first innings total. India responded well with captain Mohammed Azharuddin leading from the front with a century.

India were a stiff target of 408 runs to win the match. While chasing the target was out of question, the Indian batsmen had to survive the remaining part of match. At 127/5 India were staring at defeat when Tendulkar decided to showcase the world his class.

He first stitched a half-century stand with Kapil Dev and then took matters in his own hands as he shepherded Manoj Prabhakar and also continued to play his own strokes.

On 14 August, 1990, Sachin Tendulkar scored his maiden Test century at the age of 17 years and 107 days. He was second only Pakistan’s legendary Mushtaq Mohammad in the list of youngest Test centurions. He continues to be the third youngest ever till date.

Tendulkar’s ton not only helped India draw the Test match, his knock also gave the world a glimpse of the masterclass that was about to begin.

First Published: Aug 14, 2018 15:42 IST