TENDULKAR FINALLY GETS HIS 100th INTERNATIONAL 100, AND HIS FIRST AGAINST BANGLADESH

By Qaiser Mohammad Ali in Dhaka

(I was privileged to watch from the ringside the batting maestro score his much-anticipated century, against Bangladesh on March 16, 2012)

Dhaka: It took time to come but when Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, the Kohinoor of Indian cricket, scored his 100th international century, against Bangladesh in an Asia Cup match at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium on Friday evening, he killed several birds with one knock.

With his place in the annals of the game reserved, Tendulkar, aged 38 years and 327 days, took one year and four days – or 33 Test and ODI innings -- between his 99th and 100th ton. His previous international century for came on March 12, in an ODI against South Africa in the World Cup in Nagpur. But when he got it, it was more than welcomed as the 26,000-capacity Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium stood up to salute the most decorated cricketer of all time.

At exactly 5.06 pm local time in Dhaka, as the right-handed batsman turned the left-arm spinner Shakib-al-Hasan to square leg and completed the 100th run, Tendulkar climbed the ‘Mount Everest of International Cricket’ – a peak that has never been scaled. It will perhaps never be attained as cricketers’ careers are getting shorter with the increasingly tight international schedule.

Tendulkar showed remarkable control over his emotions; he did not jump or punch the air after reaching milestone. He took his time to remove his helmet and in a perhaps unprecedented gesture he with the handle of his bat pointed to the Indian flag fixed on his helmet. He was probably tried to say that he plays for India.

Bangladeshi players actually ran towards him to congratulate; some of them even held his hand in both their hands in reverence. He looked up to the sky, acknowledged the applause of almost packed house, and shook hands and accepted congratulations from all, including batting partner Suresh Raina.

Probably the elusive century against Bangladesh and the 100th ton were the last two personal milestones that were left for Tendulkar to achieve. He now has 49 hundreds in ODIs and 51 in Test matches. But, perhaps more importantly, he once again silenced his detractors who have been asking him to quit ODI cricket.

Tendulkar completed his 96th ODI half-century (63 balls, 7x4s, 1x6) in the 19th over, with a boundary to extra cover off left-arm spinner Shakibal Hasan. His 50 came after nine innings, the last being against Pakistan in the World Cup semi-final in Mohali on March 30 last year. He then completed his hundred off 138 balls (10x4s, 1x6). Speedster Mashrafe Mortaza finally had Tendulkar caught by captain-wicket-keeper Mushfiqur Rahim for 114 (147 balls, 12x4s, 1x6) as he attempted to drive.

Numbers reveal something, not everything. But Tendulkar’s stats reveal a great deal indeed: 33,844 runs in 650 Tests and ODIs. But perhaps more than his cricketing achievements, his greatest quality is that he is a fine human being, with his feet firmly on the ground. Tendulkar was brought up by a very cultured middle-class parents – his father was a professor -- and then his elder brother Ajit took over, and those qualities amply reflect both in his demeanour and batting.

And think of Tendulkar’s stamina and fitness as he has been batting virtually endlessly since making his ODI debut in November 1989 – more than 22 years on the international road. He took 21 years, seven months and eight days – or 7,891 days -- between his first international century in August 1990 in Manchester to the 100th in Dhaka.

Tendulkar was talented and also was extremely lucky that he got an opportunity very early to showcase his skills on the international platform; many a talent goes waste for want of opportunities. But late BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur, when he was chairman of selectors in 1989, picked Tendulkar in the now-famous “team of the 1990s” for the tour of Pakistan under K Srikkanth. It was baptism by blood for the tender teenager, but there was no looking back for the Mumbai maestro.

After Tendulkar’s 100th ton on Friday, former Pakistan captain Rameez Raja said: “Cricket actually tells you about the character of a person; it brings out the personality in a man.” The Indian batting great’s batting does reflect his personality.

A former India captain, Tendulkar never sledges and once famously won over Pakistani speedster Aaqib Javed when he tried to ‘mentally disintegrate’ him. He is a shy person and hardly ventures out of his hotel room when with the team. He mostly orders food in his room, though he usually sits in the front seat of the team bus, on the left side of the driver.

Since he arrived here with the Indian team eight days ago, Tendulkar’s fans here are observing him minutely -- the way he eats, the way he conducts himself, and the way he plays.

Mohammed Abu Salem, the in-charge of practice sessions for all four teams here, on Wednesday pointed out another quality of the widely respected cricketer. “Sachin is also a humble human being. During the practice, I saw a piece of fruit fall from his plate. He immediately picked it up and put it on the table,” he said. “He could have asked someone else to pick it up, but he didn’t; it only showed he respects food too.”

Over the years, Tendulkar has tried his best to remain free of controversies. Even excess money couldn’t force him to change his attitude. He has a mansion in London and recently built a new, independent house in Mumbai. But his feet are firmly planted on the ground.

(This article first appeared in Mail Today newspaper, New Delhi, on March 17, 2012)