His first Test innings lasted only 24 deliveries, but even during that brief tenure there was something to suggest that Sachin Tendulkar was not just another ordinary cricketer. Twenty years later, it's clear that he has more than just fulfilled those early expectations. Even for someone who was as precocious as Tendulkar looked at 16, it would have been too much to suggest that he would play more than 600 international matches - he is just four short of the landmark - and would score more than 30,000 international runs - he needs 39 more to get to the mark. His stats are ample proof that not only has he been around so long, but also that he has performed at incredibly high levels through most of that period.

In terms of the sheer length of a career, 22 playershave played Test cricket over a longer span than Tendulkar. None of them, though, have played anywhere near as many matches. Wilfred Rhodes, for example, played his first Test in 1899, and the last almost 31 years later, in 1930. However, he only played 58 Tests during this period. Similarly, Brian Close's 22-Test career spanned almost 27 years, and John Traicos played seven Tests over a 23-year period. Among the players who've had longer career spans than Tendulkar, only two have played more than 100 Tests - Colin Cowdrey appeared in 114 between November 1954 and February 1975, while Graham Gooch played 118 in a little less than 20 years.

With 159 Tests so far, Tendulkar is only nine short of Steve Waugh's all-time record of 168. The two of them are also in a select group of eight batsmen who've played 125 or more Tests and managed a 50-plus average. Sorting the list by averages, Tendulkar comes in third place, marginally behind two other batting giants of this generation, Ricky Ponting and Jacques Kallis, but ahead of Brian Lara and Rahul Dravid.

Batsmen who've played 125 or more Tests and average more than 50

Batsman	Tests	Runs	Average	100s/ 50s
Ricky Ponting	136	11,345	55.88	38/ 48
Jacques Kallis	131	10,277	54.66	31/ 51
Sachin Tendulkar	159	12,773	54.58	42/ 53
Brian Lara	131	11,953	52.88	34/ 48
Rahul Dravid	134	10,823	52.53	26/ 57
Sunil Gavaskar	125	10,122	51.12	34/ 45
Steve Waugh	168	10,927	51.06	32/ 50
Allan Border	156	11,174	50.56	27/ 63

Six of those batmen have played in an era which has also included a couple of relatively weak teams, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh. Comparing the stats for these players after excluding their performances against these two teams, it emerges that Tendulkar remains in third place and Ponting is still on top, but Brian Lara jumps up to second, while the averages for Dravid and Waugh are pushed to below 50.

Tendulkar's average dips by about two-and-a-half points when excluding his stats against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, for he has scored 1474 runs - the most by any batsman against these two teams - in 14 Tests at an average of 92.12. Kallis averages 124.50 against them (996 runs in 12 Tests) while Steve Waugh's average against them is a whopping 273 (546 runs and dismissed just twice).

Batsmen in Tests v top 8 teams

Batsman	Tests	Runs	Average	100s/ 50s
Ricky Ponting	128	10,695	55.12	36/ 44
Brian Lara	127	11,558	52.53	32/ 47
Sachin Tendulkar	145	11,299	51.83	36/ 50
Jacques Kallis	119	9281	51.56	27/ 47
Rahul Dravid	120	9423	49.59	21/ 51
Steve Waugh	163	10,381	48.96	29/ 48

The consistency factor

Over a Test career that's spanned 20 years, one of the most amazing aspects has been Tendulkar's consistency. The last time his average was below 50 was in April 1997, after the fourth Test of the five-match series in the West Indies. In the next game, in Guyana, he scored 83, which pushed his average up to 50.23. Over the next 106 Tests, it's stayed above 50, reaching a high of 58.87 after his 90th Test, when he scored 176 - his 28th Test hundred - against Zimbabwe in Nagpur. In fact, his average hasn't dipped below 54 since the last week of March, 1998, when he played his 61st Test and scored 177 and 31 in the last match of the three-Test series against Australia. The closest he came to slipping below the mark was last year against Australia, when the average dropped to 54.02 after he scored 13 and 49 in the first Test in Bangalore. (Click here for his career cumulative stats. All averages mentioned above at the end of a Test.)

The table below compares these eight players on their consistency levels in Test cricket, by measuring the standard deviation (a measure of how close each score is to the mean). Dividing the average by the standard deviation gives the consistency index. Border leads the way with a relatively low standard deviation of 40.20, while Kallis is only marginally behind him. Tendulkar comes in sixth place, and what hurts his numbers is his relatively high number of sub-20 scores - more than 41% of his total innings have been sub-20 scores. Lara, though, is the only one whose standard deviation is more than his average - his consistency index is, consequently, less than one.

Run distribution for the eight batsmen in Tests

Batsman	0-19 (%)	20-49 (%)	50-99 (%)	100+ (%)	Std dev	Ave/ SD
Allan Border	102 (38.49)	73 (27.55)	63 (23.77)	27 (10.19)	40.20	1.26
Jacques Kallis	80 (36.20)	59 (26.70)	51 (23.08)	31 (14.03)	43.92	1.24
Steve Waugh	114 (43.85)	64 (24.61)	50 (19.23)	32 (12.31)	44.45	1.15
Ricky Ponting	78 (34.06)	65 (28.38)	48 (20.96)	38 (16.59)	50.52	1.11
Rahul Dravid	87 (37.34)	63 (27.04)	57 (24.46)	26 (11.16)	48.10	1.09
Sachin Tendulkar	108 (41.38)	58 (22.22)	53 (20.31)	42 (16.09)	52.08	1.05
Sunil Gavaskar	85 (39.72)	50 (23.37)	45 (21.03)	34 (15.89)	50.01	1.02
Brian Lara	97 (41.81)	53 (22.84)	48 (20.69)	34 (14.66)	62.56	0.85

Best against the best

Apart from his sheer longevity, the one aspect of Tendulkar's career which stands out is his performance against the best team of his era. Australia have undoubtedly held that mantle for most of his career, and, ever since that dazzling 114 in Perth, Tendulkar has saved his best for the Australians. In 29 Tests against them Tendulkar has scored ten centuries - the most he's managed against any team - and averages an exceptional 56.08. Even more exceptional is the home and away split - he averages 58.53 in Australia, and 53.30 against them in India.

The average is the highest among batsmen who've scored at least 1000 runs against Australia since 1990. The top three spots are all taken by Indians, while Lara and Kevin Pietersen are the only others to average more than 50 against them during this period.

His stats against Australia is clearly one area where he has distanced himself from his competition - Kallis and Dravid only average in the early 40s against them, while the stats are worse for Inzamam-ul-Haq, another batsman with outstanding overall numbers.

Batsmen with best stats against Australia since 1990 (Qual: 1000 runs)

Batsman	Tests	Runs	Average	100s/ 50s
Sachin Tendulkar	29	2748	56.08	10/ 11
VVS Laxman	24	2204	55.10	6/ 10
Virender Sehwag	15	1483	51.13	3/ 7
Brian Lara	31	2856	51.00	9/ 11
Kevin Pietersen	12	1116	50.72	2/ 7
Richie Richardson	14	1084	49.27	4/ 4
Shivnarine Chanderpaul	15	1210	48.40	4/ 7
Graham Thorpe	16	1235	45.74	3/ 8
Graham Gooch	15	1344	44.80	3/ 9
Rahul Dravid	27	1860	41.33	2/ 11
Jacques Kallis	24	1664	40.58	4/ 8

 I distinctly remember Sachin's debut: Srikkanth

Paying rich tribute to Sachin Tendulkar , who completes 20 glorious years in international cricket on Sunday, chief selector Krishnamachari Srikkanth  described the champion Indian batsman as the "most popular cricketer in the world".

Srikkanth feels that Tendulkar has achieved so much in his illustrious career because of his humbleness, simplicity and sheer dedication to the game.

"Sachin is a dedicated player. It is not a common thing in cricket to achieve so much in 20 years' time. He occupies top spot among the best in world cricket and perhaps the most popular cricketer in the game among the past and present stars in world cricket," Srikkanth said.

"His humbleness and simplicity has helped him to achieve what others could not. His dedication is one of the main reasons for his achievements and he is role model to up and coming youngsters. In India every youngster who is in to school or college cricket wants to become a Sachin," he added.

Srikkanth, who was the skipper when Tendulkar made his Test debut against Pakistan in Karachi on November 15, 1989, said he still remembers what he had told the young prodigy two decades ago.

"I distinctly remember his debut. On the day he made his debut, I told him, 'Sachin, you do not bother about anything around you. Go and play your natural game and I assure you you will play in all four matches'. After that what he did was there for all to see," he said.

"Sachin is bestowed with good reflection and the manner in which he converts difficult and good length deliveries to the ropes has always been remarkable. His passion towards the game is distinct and trade mark, which had withstood him fortwo decades," said Srikkanth.

Srikkanth believes Tendulkar's grit and single-minded devotion towards the sport made him what he is and wished the master batsman achieves much more in the days to come. 

"His feat despite getting injured with blood stains on his shirt and helping India to draw the series is now history.

But people talk about each of his achievements, which show his popularity," he said.

"All these speak about his single minded devotion to stay at the wicket for as much overs as possible. I am sure the lovers of the game in India await much more achievements from Sachin in the years to come," he added.

Name: Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar Nick Name: The Master Blaster, The Little Champion, The Bombay Bomber DOB: 24-04-1974 Test Debut: Pakistan at Karachi, 1st Test, 1989/90 ODI Debut: Pakistan at Gujranwala, 2nd ODI, 1989/90 Batting Style: Right Hand Bat Bowling Style: Right Arm Off Break, Leg Break, Right Arm Medium, Leg Break Googly Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar (born 24 April 1973) is an Indian cricketer. He holds several batting records, including the most Test centuries and the most one-day international centuries, and was rated in 2002 by Wisden as the second greatest Test batsman ever, after Sir Don Bradman[1]. He received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour, for 1997-1998, and the civilian award Padma Shri in 1999. Tendulkar was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1997. Early days Born in Mumbai (then Bombay) into a middle-class family, Sachin Tendulkar was named after his family’s favourite music director Sachin Dev Burman. He went to Sharadashram Vidyamandir School where he started his cricketing career under coach Ramakant Achrekar. While at school, he was involved in a mammoth 664 run partnership in a Harris Shield game with friend and team mate Vinod Kambli. In 1988/1989, he scored 100 not-out in his first first-class match, for Bombay against Gujarat. At 15 years and 232 days he was the youngest to score a century on debut. International career Sachin played his first international match against Pakistan in Karachi in 1989, facing the likes of Wasim Akram, Imran Khan, Abdul Qadir, and Waqar Younis. He made just 15 runs, being bowled by Waqar Younis, who also made his debut in that match. It was an inauspicious start, but Tendulkar followed it up with his maiden Test fifty a few days later at Faisalabad. His One-day International (ODI) debut on December 18 was equally disappointing, where he was dismissed without scoring a run, again by Waqar Younis. The series was followed by a non-descript tour of New Zealand in which he fell for 88 in a Test match, John Wright, who would later coach India, pouching the catch that prevented Tendulkar from becoming the youngest centurion in Test cricket. The long anticipated maiden Test century came in England’s tour in 1990 but the other scores were not remarkable. Tendulkar truly came into his own in the 1991-1992 tour of Australia that included a brilliant century on the fast and bouncy track at Perth. He has been Man of the Match 11 times in Test matches and Man of the Series twice, both times in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. His first ODI century came on September 9, 1994 against Australia in Sri Lanka at Colombo. It had taken Tendulkar 79 ODIs to score a century. Sachin Tendulkar is the only player to score a century while making his Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Irani Trophy debut. Wisden named Tendulkar one of the Cricketers of the Year in 1997, the first calendar year in which he scored 1,000 Test runs. He repeated the feat in 1999, 2001, and 2002. Tendulkar also holds the record for scoring 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year. He has done it six times - 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2003. In 1998 he made 1,894 ODI runs, still the record for ODI runs by any batsman in any given calendar year. While not a regular bowler, Tendulkar has 37 wickets in 132 tests. Highlights of Tendulkar’s Test career include: Rated as the second best batsman of all time (next to Don Bradman) by Wisden [1][3] Highest number of Test centuries (35), overtaking Sunil Gavaskar’s record (34) on 10 December 2005 vs Sri Lanka in Delhi. Played in the highest number of Cricket Grounds - he has played Test Cricket on 52 different grounds, ahead of Azharuddin (48), Kapil Dev (47), Inzamam-ul-Haq (46) and Wasim Akram (45). He is the fastest to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket history. He holds this record along with Brian Lara. Both of them achieved this feat in 195 innings. 4th highest tally of runs in Test cricket (10,323) Career Average 55.79 - Has the highest average among those who have scored over 10,000 Test runs Second Indian to make over 10,000 runs in Test matches. Has 37 Test wickets (14 Dec 2005) Second fastest player to reach 9000 runs (Brian Lara made 9000 in 177 innings, Sachin in 179.) Highlights of Tendulkar’s ODI career include: Played more matches than any other cricketer Most Man of the Match (50) awards Appeared on the most grounds (89 different grounds) Most runs (14,146 as of 15th February, 2006) Most centuries (39) Most centuries vs. Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. First cricketer to cross 10,000-run mark in ODIs Only cricketer to cross 14,000-run mark in ODIs Only player to have over 100 innings of 50+ runs as of February, 2006 Over 100 wickets (141 as of 15th February, 2006) Highest batting average among batsmen with over 10,000 ODI runs (as of March 17, 2006) Highest individual score among Indian batsmen (186* against New Zealand at Hyderabad in 1999) Holds the record for scoring 1,000 ODI runs in a calendar year. He has done it six times - 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000 and 2003. In 1998 he made 1,894 ODI runs, still the record for ODI runs by any batsman in any given calendar year. In 1998 he hit 9 ODI centuries, the highest by any player in an year. World Cup Most runs (1732 at an average of 59.72) in World Cup Cricket History Player Of The Tournament in the 2003 Cricket World Cup. 673 runs in 2003 World Cup, highest by any one in a single Cricket World Cup Miscellaneous Sachin Tendulkar is the first batsman to have been declared run out by a third umpire in 1992 against South Africa in South Africa. He was the first overseas cricketer to play for Yorkshire CCC in 1992. Oddly, Wisden does not include any innings by Tendulkar among its list of 100 greatest Test batting performances. Criticism and recent performance The case against Sachin Tendulkar’s recent performances was summed up by Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack in its 2005 edition: “Apart from a glorious, nothing-to-lose 55 against Australia on a Mumbai terrortrack, watching Tendulkar became a colder experience: after his humbling 2003, he seemed to reject his bewitching fusion of majesty and human frailty in favour of a mechanical, robotic accumulation.” The criticism must be seen against the backdrop of Tendulkar’s performance through the years 1994-1999, coinciding with his physical peak, at age 20 through 25. Tendulkar was told to open the batting at Auckland against New Zealand in 1994 [4]. He went on to make 82 runs off 49 balls. This was the beginning of a glorious period, culminating in the Australian tour of 1998-1999, following which Australian spinner Shane Warne ruefully joked that he was having nightmares about his Indian nemesis. A chronic back problem flared up when Pakistan toured India in 1999, with India losing the historic Test at Chepauk despite a gritty century from Tendulkar himself. Worse was to come as Professor Ramesh Tendulkar, Sachin’s father, died in the middle of the 1999 cricket World Cup. Tendulkar, succeeding Mohammad Azharuddin as captain, then led India on a tour of Australia, where the visitors were comprehensively beaten 3-0 [6] by the newly-crowned world champions. Tendulkar resigned, and Sourav Ganguly took over as captain in 2000. Tendulkar made 673 runs in 11 matches in the 2003 World Cup, helping India reach the finals. While Australia retained the trophy that it had won in 1999, Tendulkar was given the Man of the Series award. The drawn series as India toured Australia in 2003-2004 saw Tendulkar making his mark in the last Test of the series, with a double century in Sydney. The series was tied 1-1, with Rahul Dravid taking the Man of the Series award. Tennis elbow then took its toll on Tendulkar, leaving him out of the side for the first two Tests when Australia toured India in 2005. He played a part in the facesaving Indian victory in Mumbai, though Australia had already taken the series 2-1, with the Chennai Test drawn. Of late, as Wisden noted, Tendulkar has not been his old aggressive self. Expert opinion is divided on whether this is due to his increasing years or the lingering after-effects of injuries over 17 years at the highest level. On 10 December, 2005, at Feroz Shah Kotla, he delighted fans with a record-breaking 35th Test century, against the Sri Lankans. But doubts were raised once again when he averaged a mere 21 over three Test innings when India toured Pakistan in 2006. On 6 February 2006, Tendulkar scored his 39th ODI hundred, in a match against Pakistan. Tendulkar now has 16 more ODI tons than the man who is second on the list of ODI century-makers, Sourav Ganguly. He followed with a run-a-ball 42 in the second ODI against Pakistan on February 11, 2006, and then a truly masterly 95 in hostile conditions on 13 February, 2006 in Lahore. On 19 March 2006, after scoring an unconvincing 1 off 21 balls against England in the first innings of the third Test in his home ground, Wankhede, Tendulkar was booed off the ground by a section of the crowd[7], the first time that he has ever faced such flak. While cheered on when he came for his second innings, Tendulkar was to end the three-Test series without a single half-century to his credit, and news of a shoulder operation raised more questions about his longevity. Geoffrey Boycott was brutal in his assessment: “Sachin Tendulkar is in the worst form of his career…Now that he’s going to sit out for a further two months, I don’t think he can ever come back to regain what he once had.” Personal life Sachin Tendulkar married Anjali Mehta, the paediatrician daughter of Gujarati industrialist Anand Mehta, in 1995, some years after they were introduced by mutual friends. They have two children, Sara (born October 1997) and Arjun (born 23 September, 2000). Tendulkar sponsors 200 under-privileged children every year through Apnalaya, a Mumbai-based NGO associated with his mother-in-law, Annabel Mehta. He is reluctant to speak about this, or other charitable activities, choosing to preserve the sanctity of his personal life despite the overwhelming media interest in him. Tendulkar has been seen taking his Ferrari 360 Modena for late-night drives in Mumbai. (Gifted by Fiat through Michael Schumacher, the car became notorious when Tendulkar was given customs exemption; Fiat paid the dues to end the controversy.)