Reliving Sachin Tendulkar's Test hundreds: Centuries 1-5

When Sachin Tendulkar was selected to play for India in 1989, at the age of 16, for the tour of Pakistan, there was widespread belief that he would go on to become one of India's stars. In that regard, he did not do too badly. What made the initiation into international cricket such a challenge was the fact that the first three Test series that he played were all away from home and for a teenager finding his feet, it was a daunting task.

Yet, Tendulkar gave a good account of himself in Pakistan and New Zealand, before scoring his first hundred in England, going on to become one of the world's best young batsmen. Here is a look at the first five Test centuries that he scored in international cricket.

#5 119* v England, Old Trafford, 1990

In the second innings of the second Test of the three-match series at Old Trafford, Manchester, Sachin scored the first century of his career and helped India stave off an embarrassing defeat on the last day of the game. At 17 years and 107 days, Tendulkar also became the youngest batsman to score a Test century at the time and after all these years, he is 4th on the list of the youngest Test centurions.

Tasked with scoring 408 on the last day to win, India were forced to play for a draw and when Tendulkar came out to bat, the scoreboard read 109-4. However, instead of going into his shell and trying to block everything, Tendulkar decided to play a stroke-filled innings, taking the game to the bowlers.

He struck 17 boundaries in his 119* and scored at a strike rate of almost 63 to keep the bowlers honest at all times. When play finally ended, he had remained unbeaten and at the tender age of just 17, had helped the team draw a Test in England. It remains one of his finest ever centuries.

#4 148* v Australia, Sydney, 1992

One of Sachin's finest

India were already 2-0 down in the five-match Test series when the teams rolled into Sydney and batting at number 6, Tendulkar produced one of the most outstanding centuries scored on Australian soil to help his side notch a significant score in their 1st innings.

Ravi Shastri scored 206, but it was Tendulkar and his superbly paced 148 not out that stole the show. He hit 13 boundaries and scored at a strike rate of 69.48 to completely dominate the Australian bowling attack consisting of Craig McDermott, Merv Hughes, Bruce Reid and debutant Shane Warne, as India posted a competitive 483 in response to Australia's first innings score of 313.

India ran Australia close, almost winning the game, but Tendulkar's status as one of the biggest batting talents in the world was cemented. He scored runs all around the wicket and played the drive and the square cut to perfection. Speaking at the time of the innings, former Australian captain and legendary commentator Richie Benaud said, "It (Sydney hundred) was just something else and I have marvelled at it ever since."

#3 114 v Australia, Perth, 1992

Tendulkar scored a stunning century at Perth

According to many who were privileged to have watched this innings from Tendulkar in the 5th Test match at Perth in 1992, it was one of his finest ever knocks. The reason behind this assertion is the fact that Perth had the quickest pitch in the world at that time and after the four-pronged Australian pace attack (consisting of Craig McDermott, Merv Hughes, Mike Whitney and Paul Reiffel) had reduced India to 135 for 6, it was Tendulkar who stood alone among the ruins.

He was still shy of his 19th birthday by a few months but his mastery of the conditions and the ability to play off both the front foot and the back foot put many senior players in the team to shame.

He scored quickly, hitting 16 boundaries in his 114 and recorded an incredible strike rate of 70.80 on one of the world's most fearsome pitches. Talking about the innings many years later, former Australian captain Ian Chappell said, “Here a kid 18 years of age. He's coming from low, bouncy pitches to the highest bouncing and fastest pitch in the world. Totally unique conditions and he makes all the adjustments and he scores 114.”

#2 111 v South Africa, Johannesburg, 1992

Tendulkar took a special liking to the fast, bouncy pitches of South Africa

India's first ever tour to South Africa turned out to be a bit of a nightmare for them as the players struggled to cope with the conditions and had to play defensive cricket throughout the series. India lost the four-Test series 1-0 but it could have been far worse had Tendulkar not played a superlative innings in the 2nd Test at Johannesburg. He was slated to bat at number 4 in that innings and before too long, India found themselves in trouble as the team slumped to 77 for 4 and then to 124-5

However, Tendulkar's innate ability to acclimatise quickly and take on fast bowlers like Allan Donald and Craig Matthews in their own den saved India from embarrassment. In a patient innings spanning more than six hours, Tendulkar negotiated everything that was thrown at him and hit 19 boundaries in total to take India out of the woods. This innings also brought up 1000 runs for him in Test cricket and at the time he was the youngest player to have reached that milestone. India eventually scored 227 in response to South Africa's 292 and ended up with a draw.

#1 165 v England, Chennai, 1993

Chennai became one of his favourite venues

The three-Test series against England in 1993 proved to be one of India's most memorable series victories. In the second Test at Chennai, the hosts completed an innings victory, thanks to Sachin Tendulkar's 5th century in Test cricket. Tendulkar came out to bat with India placed at 149 for 2 and in the company of the other centurion Navjot Sidhu, proceeded to make his first 150+ score.

In an innings spanning just more than six hours, he put the English bowlers to the sword and plundered 24 boundaries in addition to a solitary six to score 165. It was his first century at Chennai, a ground that went on to become one of his favourite venues.

The innings was also the first century in his career that actually came in a winning cause and hence was especially significant. India declared at 560 and then dismissed England twice to take a 2-0 lead in the series.