On this day 13 years ago, the legendary Indian batter Sachin Tendulkar achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first player in the history of the game to score 50 Test centuries. This remarkable feat occurred on December 19, 2010, during the first Test against South Africa.
Sachin, then 37 years old, also surpassed the 14,500-run mark in red-ball cricket during this game at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. Tendulkar dedicated this record to his father, who had passed away in 1999.
Resilient Sachin Tendulkar scores his 50th Test Century:
In the first innings, Team India struggled and posted a meagre total of 136. South African pacer Morne Morkel’s five-wicket haul gave the hosts the upper hand. Responding emphatically, South Africa declared their first innings with a formidable 620 runs on the board.
India staged a remarkable comeback in the second innings, led by Sachin Tendulkar and captain MS Dhoni’s 172-run partnership for the seventh wicket. Although Dhoni departed for 90, Sachin continued his resilient batting, reaching the three-digit mark after 258 minutes of patient play and facing 197 deliveries.
Sachin Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 111, hitting 13 boundaries and a six during his innings against South Africa in the second innings. Despite Sachin’s brilliance, India were bowled out for 459, resulting in a defeat by an innings and 25 runs for the MS Dhoni-led side.
Sachin Tendulkar concluded his illustrious international career with 51 centuries and 68 half-centuries in Tests. His final Test hundred came against South Africa in January 2011 in Cape Town.
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