Sachin Tendulkar: Revisiting the double hundreds of the Master Blaster

15,921 Test runs, 18,426 ODI runs, 100 international centuries and so many more, the man who needs no introduction – Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar. These numbers are etched in the memory of millions of cricket fans, for they worshipped the man who could do no wrong when he wielded the willow. When he knew it was his turn to pass the baton to the next generation, he left with numbers that will stay immortalised due to the stature of the man.

Tendulkar played his final Test and his last international game on 14^th November 2013 against the West Indies, befittingly in the stadium that taught him the nuances of the trade, the Wankhede Stadium. This was his 200^th Test match in a career spanning 24 long vigilant years. For somebody who has the numbers Tendulkar possess, his tally of double hundreds is a tad bit lower than one would expect - 7 in total, 6 in Tests and 1 in ODIs.

His low number of double centuries (considering it is, after all, Tendulkar) could be accounted for due to a few factors. In his early playing days, Tendulkar pretty much carried the burden of batting on his young shoulders. The pressures of responsibility can be a very taxing experience. He also mostly played in the middle order, which doesn’t provide too many opportunities for one to make 200+ scores.

He has given joy to the countless many, so let’s revisit the double hundreds of the double hundred man:

---

#1 217 vs New Zealand, 29^th October 1999

His first double century was against the Kiwis in Ahmedabad and was also his 21^st Test century and 44^th overall. The 200 mark had eluded him for 10 long years, and Tendulkar voiced a similar opinion after getting to the mark. He said, “10 years is long time. But you keep trying”.

His 217 came off 344 balls, with 29 hits to the fence. His double came at his favoured number 4 position, as he helped India to 583 in the first innings. He mixed caution with aggression, as he took on the likes of Cairns and Vettori, but could only help India secure a draw.

#2 201 not out vs Zimbabwe, 25^th November 2000

Tendulkar hit his second 200 in 2000

His second double was an enterprising 201 off only 281 deliveries against Zimbabwe in Nagpur. He hit 27 boundaries in the innings and he did it in his usual number 4 position, to help India to 609/6 declared in the first innings.

Dravid and Shiv Sunder Das also hit centuries in the first innings and the built up pressure ensured that the Zimbabweans could only amass 382 runs in the second innings, and were asked to follow-on. What followed was an innings that outshined his innings in the same test, when a resilient Andy Flower hit an unbeaten 233 off 444 deliveries to secure a draw.

#3 248 not out vs Bangladesh, 10^th December 2004

Sachin’s highest ever test score came against Bangladesh in 2004

After Bangladesh flattered to 184 in their first innings, India made light work of the Bangla bowling attack, and amassed 526 runs in the 2^nd innings. Eventually, Bangladesh stumbled to 202 all out in the 3^rd innings, giving India a handsome victory by an innings and 140 runs. Tendulkar notched up his highest score of an unbeaten 248 off 379 deliveries in Dhaka.

This Test match is also famous for 133 run partnership for the last wicket between Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan. Zaheer Khan hit an enterprising 75 runs, which was the record highest score by a number 11 batsman at the time.

#4 241 not out vs Australia, 2^nd January 2004

The first of two double centuries against Australia came in 2004

Considered by many as his finest innings, his 241 unbeaten runs came off 436 deliveries with 33 boundaries at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Coming into the match, Tendulkar had only managed 82 runs in 5 innings in that tour, and was found wanting outside the off stump.

This innings is known for Sachin’s monk-like focus, as he didn’t hit a single cover drive throughout the innings, leaving the balls outside the off stump unthreateningly to the wicket-keeper’s gloves. He played with a straighter bat and used his wrist to find gaps on the on-side. He battled on for more than 10 hours, in a show of discipline that would have had poems written about.

He was involved in a dazzling partnership of 353 runs with VVS Laxman as India amassed 705/7 declared. The match though ended in a tame draw, but it will be forever remembered for Sachin’s masterly innings sans his usual masterly shots, redeeming his position as one of the very best.

#5 203 vs Sri Lanka, 29^th July 2010

Sachin’s 5^th double century came against Sri Lanka in Colombo

Sachin’s 203 came off 343 deliveries, with 23 hits to the fence and a lone six against the Lankans in Colombo. In what was a very high scoring drawn Test match, Sangakkara hit 219 runs and Jayawardene hit 174 to help Sri Lanka to 642/4 declared. This was followed by a typical Sehwag innings, when he blazed away to 99 off 101 balls and Suresh Raina who was making his debut also hit 120 runs.

Tendulkar’s 203 helped India to 707 all out in response. The Lankans batted for another 45 overs before the match ended in a dull draw. Notably Sachin went past Bradman’s 18 150+ scores with this innings.

#6 214 vs Australia, 11^th October 2010

Sachin’s 214 was his second double century of the calendar year

Sachin’s second double century against the Aussies came off 363 deliveries, with 22 hits to the fence and 2 aerial hits over the fence, in Bangalore’s M. Chinnaswamy stadium. His knock helped India to 495 in response to Australia’s first innings of 478. Tendulkar also hit an unbeaten 53 off 77 deliveries in the 4^th innings to help India to clinch the match on the last day of the Test, after the Aussies collapsed to 223 in the 3^rd innings.

With his second double century in 2010, and his 5 other centuries of the year, ensured his tally stood at 1562 Test runs for 2010. He reclaimed the number 1 rank for ICC Test batsman with the knock, moving past Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, making it his 9^th time at the helm. This was his 6^th and final test double hundred.

#7 200 not out vs. South Africa, 24^th February 2010

Sachin became the first person in the history of the sport to score a double century in an ODI

Sachin Tendulkar on this date became the first man in the history of the game to hit a double century in ODIs. He hit an unbeaten 200 off 147 balls to help India make a staggering 401/3 against the Proteas in Gwalior. His record-breaking breathtaking innings constituted of 25 fours and 2 sixes, as he took the likes of Steyn, Wayne Parnell, Kallis, and Charles Langeveldt to the cleaners.

MS Dhoni who was at the other end when Sachin reached the magical mark, blasted 68 off 35 balls to help India over the 400 run mark. Though AB de Villiers hit a fighting unbeaten 114 off 101 balls, South Africa collapsed to 248 in 43 overs, handing India a 153 run victory.