Sachin Tendulkar – 200th Test Match

Early Test Career

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar made his Test debut on India’s tour of Pakistan on 15 November 1989, at just 16 years and 205 days of age. Displaying remarkable maturity, he scored two half-centuries against the formidable bowling attack of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younus, Abdul Qadir and Imran Khan.

At 17 years and 112 days, he became India’s youngest Test centurion with an unbeaten 119 against England at Manchester in 1990.

Rise to Stardom

India’s tour of Australia in 1991–92 marked a turning point in Tendulkar’s career. While the Indian batting lineup struggled, the 18-year-old scored two outstanding centuries—an unbeaten 148 at Sydney and 114 at Perth. During this tour, he first batted at the iconic No. 4 position, which he would make his own.

Record-Breaking Achievements

Tendulkar consistently performed on big occasions. Sir Donald Bradman once remarked that Tendulkar’s batting reminded him of himself.

In 2008, he surpassed Brian Lara’s 11,953 runs to become the highest run-scorer in Test cricket. He holds several Test records:

• Most runs
• Most centuries
• Most Test appearances

In 2012, he became the first player to score 100 international centuries. He also took more than 100 Test catches and contributed with crucial wickets.

ODI Excellence

Tendulkar’s One-Day International record is equally unmatched.
He was the highest run-scorer in both the 1996 and 2003 ICC Cricket World Cups and played a major role in India’s 2011 World Cup victory.

Honours and Recognitions

A cricketing legend admired globally, Tendulkar greatly contributed to India’s rise in world cricket. His awards include:

• Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (1998)
• Padma Vibhushan (2008)
  He also served as a Member of the Rajya Sabha from June 2012.

Philatelic Tribute

A Miniature Sheet consisting of 2 postage stamps and 2 Maxim Cards has been issued to commemorate the 200th Test Match of S. R. Tendulkar, one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history.