Reliving Sachin Tendulkar's Test hundreds: Centuries 6-10

Sachin Tendulkar is statistically the greatest batsman to have played the sport with the most number of runs in international cricket and the only player to have scored 100 international centuries. In Tests, the Little Master is the highest run-scorer with nearly 16,000 runs to his name.

Tendulkar has a number of records in Tests including the only player to have more than 50 Test centuries. Tendulkar’s centuries in Test match cricket more than often helped India to at least rescue the match.

Having already read about his first five centuries, let’s read about his next five Test centuries.

#1. 6th century- 104* against Sri Lanka at Colombo, 1993

The first Test of India’s tour to Sri Lanka ended in a draw mainly due to rain preventing play for most of the match, making it the shortest Test match ever. The second Test was held at Colombo and skipper Mohammad Azharuddin won the toss and opted to bat first.

In the first innings, India put up 366 thanks to Vinod Kambli’s 125 and Navjot Singh Sidhu’s 82. In reply, Sri Lanka could only score 254 thanks to an 88 by skipper Arjuna Ranatunga. Anil Kumble took 5 wickets for 87.

In the second innings, Manoj Prabhakar and Sidhu gave India a brilliant start by putting up an opening stand of 171. The partnership was broken after Prabhakar departed for 95. No.3 Vinod Kambli was out early and Sachin Tendulkar came in to bat.

Tendulkar was batting rather steadily compared to Sidhu. He added 87 for the third wicket before Sidhu departed for 104. The 19-year-old Tendulkar was comfortably getting the better of the Sri Lankan bowlers and built another 50+ partnership, this time with Azharuddin.

Pravin Amre came in to join Tendulkar just as he was closing in on his century. He eventually got to his hundred. India declared on 359/4 and Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 104 from 161 deliveries as the visitors set Sri Lanka 472 for victory. India went on to win the match by 235 runs.

#2. 7th century- 142 against Sri Lanka at Lucknow, 1994

Tendulkar's 7th Test hundred helped India reach a strong total in their first innings

Following India’s successful Tour of Sri Lanka in mid-1993, they would host Sri Lanka for a three-match Test series in early 1994. The first of the three Test matches was held at the KD Singh Babu Stadium in Lucknow, which was also the last match to be played here.

India opted to bat first and had a good start before losing Manoj Prabhakar and Vinod Kambli in quick succession. Sachin Tendulkar came in to join Navjot Singh Sidhu. Both batsmen were seeing off the Lankan bowlers in their own ways. While Sidhu often went for the sixes, Tendulkar was dealing only in boundaries.

With sublime timing and footwork, he was a treat to watch for the crowd. He added 121 for the third wicket alongside Sidhu who was later dismissed for 124. Following Sidhu’s dismissal Tendulkar continued to smash fours against the likes of Muralitharan, Anurasiri and WIckremasinghe who were literally left clueless. He reached his hundred and was looking for more.

Tendulkar finally perished for 142 from 224 deliveries, hitting 22 fours. India ended their first innings at 511. Thanks to Anil Kumble’s brilliant bowling, India registered an innings victory over Sri Lanka. Nevertheless, Sachin Tendulkar’s fantastic century was instrumental in putting India in a strong position in their first innings.

#3. 8th century- 179 against West Indies at Nagpur, 1994

Tendulkar's 8th Test century was his highest Test score at the time

After winning the five-match ODI series against West Indies, India began the Test series well by winning the first Test at Mumbai. The second Test was held at Nagpur and India opted to bat first. India lost Manoj Prabhakar and Vinod Kambli early and were 48/2.

At this stage, Sachin Tendulkar came in to join Navjot Singh Sidhu. Both players were dealing in boundaries but Tendulkar was a sheer delight to watch as he was simply toying with Courtney Walsh and Carl Hooper.

Sidhu departed shortly after scoring his hundred but Tendulkar stayed glued to the crease and was keeping the Indian scoreboard ticking as he reached to his 8th Test century and his first against West Indies. He received tremendous support from Mohammad Azharuddin who was batting pretty steadily.

Tendulkar was eventually dismissed by Walsh for 179 after smashing 24 boundaries and a six. India declared their innings at 546/9. Tendulkar also scored a half-century in the second innings. However, the match ended in a draw.

#4. 9th century- 122 against England at Edgbaston, 1996

Tendulkar's 9th Test century went in vain

This is the only century on this list that resulted in a defeat for India. India toured England in 1996 for three Tests and the first of these three was held at Edgbaston. India won the toss and skipper Mohammed Azharuddin decided to bat first. Thanks to a fifty from Javagal Srinath and a crucial 28 from Paras Mhambrey, India managed 214 in the first innings.

A century from Nasser Hussain took England to 313 in their first innings. In the second innings, India were struggling miserably as they were reduced to 68/5. However, Sachin Tendulkar kept on playing and was trying desperately to keep India in the game. He was playing brilliantly against the England bowlers but he wasn't getting much support from the other end.

Tendulkar eventually reached his 9th Test century and his third against England. He was eventually dismissed on 122 from 177 balls by Chris Lewis after hitting 19 fours and a six. India’s innings came to an end at 219 and the hosts were given a paltry target of 121 to chase which they did with the loss of just two wickets.

#5. 10th century- 177 against England at Trent Bridge, 1996

Tendulkar's 10th Test century was his fourth against England

After losing the first Test at Edgbaston, India drew the second Test at Lord's where Sourav Ganguly scored a century on debut. The third Test was held at Trent Bridge and India decided to bat first.

India lost openers Vikram Rathour and Nayan Mongia early and were struggling at 33/2. At this stage, Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly were on the crease. Tendulkar was looking in brilliant touch as he was smashing one boundary after another.

The likes of Cork, Ealham, Mullally and Lewis were not able to stop him and he soon reached his 10th Test century, which was his fourth against England and his third in the country. Tendulkar received tremendous support from Sourav Ganguly who was carrying his form from the second Test at Lord's.

The duo added 255 for the third wicket before Ganguly was dismissed for 136 by Alan Mullally. Tendulkar continued to dazzle and reached his third score of 150+ in Tests. He built a partnership of 89 for the fourth wicket with Sanjay Manjrekar before being dismissed by Mark Ealham for 177.

India eventually ended their innings on 521. Centuries from Mike Atherton and Nasser Hussain helped England reach 564 which was sufficient enough to at least prevent them from losing. India ended the Test by finishing their second innings on 211 with Tendulkar scoring 74 from 97 deliveries. The match ended in a draw and England won the series 1-0.