Sachin Tendulkar created history by firing the first double century in one-day internationals as India put South Africa to the sword in Gwalior. The 36-year-old was in indomitable form as he bludgeoned 25 fours and three sixes in a stunning 200 off 147 balls.
Honest enough to admit that I have always been a great fan of Sachin since my childhood days, very much like thousands of other Indians who pray everytime when
Sachin goes out to bat.I have always felt that he really needed this; something very special in an individual innings.This innings was really incredible.He has got so many very good hundreds, but he needed that one knock that would create history. He doesn't have a triple hundred in Tests, he doesn't have the quickest fifty or hundred [in ODIs] or the fastest hundred in Tests. He has just got loads of very good Tests and ODI hundreds. So this is something he will especially cherish. He has that one individual innings that he can be really proud of.
It is a feat that has taken a while despite the number of ODIs being played and no one has really come close. Recently Charles Coventry got into the 190s but going past 200, like Sachin did and so comfortably - he didn't really struggle for much time or overs and got there quite easily in the end, [a testimony] to his fitness.The memories of today, 24Th February 2010 will be etched in the minds of thousands of Indians, who swear by the name of "SACHIN RAMESH TENDULKAR"
I would like to quote IPL Commissioner Lalit Modi--"Sachin - the greatest ever player ever - without any doubt… I salute Sachin... World's greatest sportsman. We can see him only rise. (He is an) inspiration to us all. He is the best."
