Reliving Sachin Tendulkar's Test centuries: Centuries 26-30 

Sachin Tendulkar scored 51 Test centuries in a glittering career that spanned a period of 24 years and 200 Test matches. A majority of his centuries are etched into the memory of most Indian cricket fans, even though he scored so many of them.

Following his 25th century in the 3rd Test of the epic series against Australia at Chennai in 2001, Tendulkar scored his next five Test centuries in a year's time and one of those helped India script another famous win. The five centuries scored during that period were the work of a batsman at the peak of his powers. Here is a closer look at each of those innings.

#5 155 v South Africa at Bloemfontein, 2001

Following the events of the 1996-97 tour of South Africa, there was widespread belief that India would struggle against them when they toured the country in 2001 and in the very first morning, those fears rang true.

If it were not for Tendulkar and his blazing blade, India would have found themselves in all sorts of trouble. He walked out to bat at 43-2 after openers SS Das and Rahul Dravid had been dismissed but soon found himself running out of partners as India were reduced to 68-4.

In the company of debutant Virender Sehwag, Tendulkar played one of the greatest innings ever managed on South African soil in what was a throwback to his epic 169 against the same opposition in the 1996-97 tour. He put a bowling attack consisting of Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis, Nantie Hayward and Makhaya Ntini to the sword and hit them all over the park.

Tendulkar's 155 came off only 184 deliveries as he recorded an incredible strike rate of 84.23 and completely dominated the South African bowlers, flaying them for 23 fours and one six. India scored 379 in their first innings but eventually ended up losing the match after South Africa batted them out of the contest. That said, the Test match witnessed one of Tendulkar's finest ever centuries.

#4 103 v England at Ahmedabad, 2001

Tendulkar dismantled the English bowling attack

Tendulkar's 27th century in Test cricket was a masterful display against England in India's first innings in the second Test of the three-match series at Ahmedabad, back in 2001. After being mauled in the 1st Test at Mohali, England fought back at Ahmedabad by scoring 407 in their 1st innings and then reducing India to 93-4. However, Tendulkar stood tall among the ruins and along with the excellent VVS Laxman for company, pulled India out of trouble.

He batted for just over four hours and consumed 197 deliveries to score a patient 103, thwarting England's charge and helping India regain a foothold in the game. He hit 12 boundaries and a solitary six. Eventually, India were dismissed for 291 but it could have been a lot worse had Tendulkar not delivered.

#3 176 v Zimbabwe at Nagpur, 2002

Sachin Tendulkar in action against Zimbabwe

In the first game of the two-Test series against Zimbabwe in February 2002, India beat the visitors by an innings and 101 runs. The victory was built around Anil Kumble's nine-wicket haul and Sachin Tendulkar's 176. In those days, Zimbabwe had a pretty good attack consisting of Heath Streak, Travis Friend and a young Ray Price among others.

Tendulkar was troubled by Price throughout the series, but at Nagpur, was at his masterful best. It helped that he came in to bat at 209-2. He did not let many opportunities to hit boundaries slip and notched up 23 boundaries in the innings. More than 50% of his runs came in boundaries, an indication of the sort of innings he played to drive home the advantage for India.

#2 117 v West Indies, Port of Spain, 2002

Sachin Tendulkar eked out a century despite struggling to time the ball

After the 1st Test of the five-match series had been rained out, India gained a lead in the series by eking out a narrow victory in an exciting Test match at Port of Spain. India's first innings total of 339 revolved around Tendulkar's 117 as he steered them out of trouble after they had been reduced to 38 for 2.

However, this was not one of Tendulkar's vintage innings as he struggled for timing. In fact, the umpire failed to give him out early in his innings when he had been trapped plumb in front.

It was a steely and determined innings and Tendulkar tried to avoid anything extravagant in order to ensure that India got a good total. He hit only 14 boundaries in his innings of 117 that spanned almost six hours and the fact that he scored a match-turning century even when he was not in great form showed the other side of the flamboyant genius. India won the game by 37 runs in the end.

#1 193 v England at Headingley, 2002

Sachin Tendulkar of India hits out at Headingley, 2002

The 2002 tour of England was memorable for India as they squared the four-match series 1-1 at Headingley following a thumping innings and 46 runs victory in the third Test. Indian captain Sourav Ganguly opted to bat first on a green pitch and after some outstanding batting from Sanjay Bangar and Rahul Dravid, Tendulkar walked out to bat at 185 for 2. The task was to drive the advantage home and that is exactly what he proceeded to do by playing one of his finest Test innings. He also went past the great Sir Donald Bradman's tally of Test hundreds after scoring an epic century.

He batted for more than seven hours and struck 19 boundaries in addition to three sixes, compiling 193 to take India to an imposing first innings total of 628/8 (declared). However, what will always be remembered is the mayhem he unleashed with fellow centurion Ganguly on the second evening in fading light. Tendulkar absolutely toyed with the English bowling attack and in the darkness, stepped out and slogged Andrew Caddick for a towering six. That six remains the defining image of that innings.