The day has finally arrived as Sachin Tendulkar has finally announced his retirement from ODI-Cricket with immediate effect. Sachin has played a record 463 ODI matches scoring 18426 runs with an average of 44.83 runs and was also the first player to score a double century in the history of the limited overs cricket. Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar announces retirement from the one day format of the game #Cricket #News — BCCI (@BCCI) December 23, 2012 Tendulkar?s statement: ?I have decided to retire from the One Day format of the game. I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup wining Indian team,? Tendulkar said in his statement to the BCCI Chief N Srinivasan. ?The preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015 should begin early and in right earnest. I would like to wish the team all the very best for the future. I am eternally grateful to all my well wishers for their unconditional support and love over the years,? he added.