Sachin Tendulkar's Double Century, Another Feather in His Cap

It was not just another one-day international match at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium in Gwalior, on February 24, for it was the day when the crowd witnessed a history. Hailed as one of the best batsman the cricketing world has ever produced, the little master again got a place in annals of the history.

Sachin Tendulkar, worshiped as the God of cricket, did what was expected from him for many years. When you look back at his two decades of illustrious career, you will know that he aptly deserved it.

On the 3rd ball of the 50th over of the first innings of the 2nd ODI against South Africa, when Sachin deftly placed the Charl Langeveldt delivery off the squarish third-man, he achieved a feat which no cricketer has ever done. A blistering knock of 200 runs in just 147 deliveries, with immaculate 25 boundaries and 3 sixes, Sachin completed his 46th ODI hundred thereby increasing his total number of centuries in international cricket to 93 (47 100s in test matches)!!

Since the inception of international ODIs in 1971, a milestone in the ODIs, making a double hundred by any player took nearly four decades to be achieved. And who better than the little genius could have done it! An innings of passion, elegance, perseverance and patience, the 37-year-old batting maestro looked like the 20-year-old Sachin who was destined to change the cricketing history. When Sachin lifted his bat and took off the helmet looking at the sky, the crowd gave him a thunderous applaud. There were hugs and celebrations in the Indian dressing room and amongst the one billion Indian supporters who awaited for their legend's historic feat for years!

The entire country and all the fans of Sachin throughout the world, were more than ecstatic to see their hero rising to such a feat. The unbeaten 200 runs made by Sachin demolished the previous highest score of 194, made by Zimbabwe's Charles Coventry against Bangladesh in Bulawayo last August and Saeed Anwar of Pakistan against India at Chennai in May 1997. Sachin who is a testimony to the fact that records are meant to be broken, is the first ever cricketer to have crossed the hurdle of 200 runs in a 50 over match. Some of the legends who always knew what this fellow possesses, commented on Sachin's innings, in their unique style.

"He has always respected the game and is dedicated to it. But I think this is not enough for him. He is hungry and I am sure he will keep creating new records. He is a dedicated student of the game and is still keen to learn things." ~ Ramakant Achrekar, the coach who trained the maestro during childhood.

"Come on Sachin my friend get your 200. World record to please! You deserve it... Nervous for my good friend Sachin everything crossed for you mate... Glad I'm not bowling to him today ha ha ha." ~ Shane Warne, Australian spinner.

The unbeaten 200 that Sachin made at Gwalior is a benchmark for others to follow. Now, there will be lot of players who believe that they can also make 200 in an one-day international. We will wait and see." ~ VVS Laxman, Indian cricket player.

"If any person deserved to do better than me it was Tendulkar. I am happy for him, there are no real regrets." ~ Saeed Anwar, whose 194 was the previous highest ODI score.

"He should aim for more. Maybe a Test innings of 450 or an ODI knock of 250. And then he himself wants to win next year's World Cup. There is a little boy in Tendulkar who wants to keep playing. That spirit keeps him going. It's absolutely incredible how he keeps going." ~ Sachin's inspiration, Sunil Gavsakar, the former Indian legendary cricketer.

"The way he is still scoring runs and breaking records is awesome, and a lesson for the cricketing world. The unique thing is his passion for the game. He is still like a 10-year old, and that is very important to keep ongoing at the top level. This latest record is not surprising at all. I loved watching him bat and I think he still has a lot more to give India and cricket."~ Former Pakistani player.

"This is out of the world! Sachin doesn't go for records, the records follow him. I have watched him from close, his involvement has remained the same from the time he started as a 15-year-old. The way he is going, the 2011 World Cup is almost assured!~ Ajit Wadekar, former Indian cricketer.

"For any cricketer, he is the role model. A great thing about him is that he has been outstanding in both Tests and ODIs. As a Pakistani player, I know how much value we always put on his wicket."~ Shoaib Malik, Pakistani cricketer.

The list of accolades and appreciations is endless but the master blaster's innings spell bounded the crowd and those who were glued to the television screens. No vocabulary is so rich as to describe the master innings of this cricketing legend. Those who saw bowed to him and those who didn't regretted it for having not seen that moment. Sachin's innings led India to a herculean score of 401 runs and lead India to a 153 runs victory in the match thereby winning the series by 2-0!! With the pace Sachin is moving, all his fans just wish that he lifts the 2011 world cup for India! It is a personal dream for our national icon and a collective dream for the nation.

Prayers are going on, the stage is being set, Sachin is in his prime and the little master is all set to give his best for the 2011 world cup. Personally, I have grown up seeing almost all his matches and if not matches, their highlights and my heart knew no bounds when the master did what none had done.

Buzzle salutes the Master Blaster and his dedication to the Cricketing world for the last two decades. With all prayers, blessings, love and support, we Indians just have to say one thing to Sachin, 'Sachin da, we love you so much and we believe you will win the world cup 2011 for India'. India salutes the genius, the God of Cricket!!!