On this day in 2010: Sachin Tendulkar made history by becoming first cricketer to score 50 Test centuries

The former Indian great Sachin Tendulkar has always been associated with breaking records and demonstrating the greatest level of batsmanship. His excellence is demonstrated by his reputation for making some memorable knocks and scoring hundreds in practically every cricketing nation. Nonetheless, among those countries, it was no small feat for a visiting hitter to play in South Africa and score hundreds.

Nevertheless, the “Master Blaster” triumphed over players like Shaun Pollock, the renowned pacer Allan Donald, and others. In the present day, the Indian hitter continued to build his reputation and faced up against Dale Steyn and a fiery Morne Morkel. Legendary hitters have frequently struggled to keep up their batting form in their latter years.

However, on this day (December 19), Sachin Tendulkar, one of the rarest breeds in cricket, maintained his outstanding batting rhythm at the age of 37 while facing one of the world’s top pace batteries and on one of the most buoyant surfaces. The Indian hero famously scored an incredible undefeated century in the first Test match in Centurion, but it was in a losing cause. Tendulkar faced 241 balls during his lengthy stint in the crease and managed to stay undefeated at 111* runs.

Surprisingly, he became the first player to reach 50 hundreds in the Test format with this knock. Furthermore, he exceeded 14,500 runs in his remarkable Test career during his spectacular one-man army knock.

Sachin Tendulkar truly dedicated his 50th Test century to his late father, Ramesh Tendulkar, after achieving the feat. Following his innings, the batting virtuoso disclosed that he wanted to do something special in remembrance of his father, who was born on the day before India’s second innings.

I wanted to do something in his honour because yesterday was his birthday. I also want to thank all of my supporters and well-wishers. I shall continue to perform as long as you continue to support me in this way. I had no records in mind. I have never been behind on my records. However, I am content,” Tendulkar declared following the match.

Check out Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic century moment here:

Today in 2010, Sachin Tendulkar 111* Vs South Africa @ Centurion became the First & Only Cricketer to Score 50 Test Centuries.

The master @sachin_rt https://t.co/OqUMIhLQ6o

— CrickeTendulkar (@CrickeTendulkar) December 19, 2021

Check out how Tendulkar dedicated his 50th century to his father here:

#OnThisDay 𝐢𝐧 2010
SRT 𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐢𝐬 50𝐭𝐡 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐲,𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞! & 𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐜𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.#SachinTendulkar pic.twitter.com/Xz16jQVR2z

— We Miss You SACHIN (@WeMissYouSachin) December 19, 2024

For India, Sachin Tendulkar undefeated 50th century was in vain.

Speaking about the match, Team India’s tour got off to a terrible start after being thrashed in the opening inning. South Africa chose to take advantage of the bounce and home conditions by putting India in to bat first after winning the toss. The choice was spot on, as the Indian team was hammered for a mere 136 runs. Tendulkar was India’s lone warrior even at that point, scoring 36 runs off of just 34 balls to lead the team.

However, all-rounder Jacques Kallis stole the show with an undefeated double century (201* off 270 balls) as South Africa crushed the Indian team and scored an overwhelming 620/4. The visitors’ bowling problems were exacerbated by centuries from Hashim Amla and AB de Villiers, if that wasn’t enough. Graeme Smith, the captain, provided the team a strong start with a half-century (62 off 87 balls). The only two players from India to share four wickets were spinner Harbhajan Singh and pacer Ishant Sharma.

In addition to playing a long game to cut the lead disadvantage, the Indians had the difficult challenge of trying to rescue the game. In the second innings, Team India got off to a bouncy start thanks to a 137-run partnership between openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag. Ishant Sharma, the nightwatchman, was removed cheaply after Rahul Dravid attempted to demonstrate some resistance in the middle.

This, however, had no effect whatsoever on Sachin Tendulkar, who delivered a batting masterclass that enabled Team India to fight valiantly and score 459 runs. Despite losing the match by an innings and twenty-five runs, the world of cricket witnessed the brilliance of India’s best batsman despite the hardship.