Most memorable centuries scored by Sachin Tendulkar

We will take a look at the most memorable moments of the man who has scored the most odi centuries. As we all know, former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for having scored the most number of One Day International centuries - 49. The 5 foot 5 inch genius started his career at the ripe age of 16, in 1989. Over the next 24 years that he played the game, he attained a demigod status and went on to break almost all the batting records that could have been broken. Here are 5 of his best One Day International centuries that he scored during his career.

#5 134 v Australia, Sharjah, 1998

At fifth position in this list is another century Tendulkar scored, immediately after the desert storm knock. It happened in the final of the Coca Cola Cup, against the Australians.

This knock is a special one, as it was made on his 25th birthday. This innings, which had 12 fours and 3 sixes,was filled with classy shots.

The losing Aussie captain Steve Waugh said: It was one of the greatest innings I have ever seen. There is no shame being beaten by such a great player, Sachin is perhaps only next to the Don.

#4 140* v Kenya , Bristol, 1999

There were a lot of emotions surrounding this match. India were playing their third match of the ICC World Cup 1999, and Sachin had just arrived after attending his fathers funeral.

After scoring his century, he looked up at the heavens and later said these words at the post match presentation: This ones for you, dad.

#3 175 v Australia, Hyderabad, 2009

Even though this knock came in a losing cause to the mighty Australians, it was vintage Tendulkar on display. Tendulkar scored 19 fours and 4 sixes on the way to his 175 but could not help India reach the 351 runs set by Australia.

Steve Waugh had this to say about the knock:

The last time I watched Sachin was last week when he was on his way to a spectacular 175 and once again I felt that I was watching a player who comes but once in a century. It can be said that he is the Bradman of our times and I do feel privileged to have played a lot of cricket against him

#2 200* v South Africa, Gwalior, 2010

While the 143 against Australia was the fearless young Tendulkar in display, this record breaking knock was the older, wiser and more mature version of him destroying the South African bowling attack all over the place. He broke the 200-run mark in one day cricket, which was long regarded as an impossible feat to achieve. With 25 fours and 3 sixes, Tendulkar did the unimaginable.

Ravi Shastri, commentating during the match, said: First man in the planet to reach 200, and its the Superman from India Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar.

#1 143 v Australia, Sharjah, 1998

This century at Sharjah stands at the top of the list, as, on that day, the world looked down on the sands of Sharjah to find a sheer genius at play. This knock, described as the Desert Storm, saw Tendulkar ramshackle the Australian bowling attack, one that included the likes of Shane Warne. Tendulkar scored 143 off just 131 balls with 9 fours and 5 sixes.

Shane Warne, when asked about that desert storm innings, said: Ill be going to bed having nightmares of Sachin just running down the wicket and belting me back over the head for six. He was unstoppable. I dont think anyone, apart from Don Bradman, is in the same class as Sachin Tendulkar. He is just an amazing player.