Top 50 Unknown, Amazing and Lesser-known Facts about Sachin Tendulkar
Known worldwide as the “God of Cricket,” Sachin Tendulkar is a name that appeals to all cricket enthusiasts. Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar was born in Mumbai, India, on April 24, 1973. He set off on a path that would change cricket as we know it. He is now regarded as a global icon due to his extraordinary talent, devotion, and humility.
Over the course of his two-decade cricket career, Tendulkar broke and set a number of records. He made his debut for his country in 1989, against Pakistan, at the juvenile age of 16, and he immediately became known as a phenomenal talent. Tendulkar was dubbed “Master Blaster” for his skillful play, which allowed him to play shots with grace and accuracy all over the court.
Here are 50 unknown facts about Sachin Tendulkar that shed light on the man behind the legend.
1. Named After a Music Legend
Sachin was named after his father’s favorite music director, Sachin Dev Burman.
2. Youngest Indian to Debut in International Cricket
At just 16 years and 205 days old, Sachin made his debut for India in a Test match against Pakistan in 1989.
3. First Taste of Cricket
Sachin’s elder brother, Ajit Tendulkar, introduced him to cricket at the age of 11.
4. Childhood Coach
Sachin was trained by the famous coach Ramakant Achrekar, who played a pivotal role in his early development as a cricketer.
5. His First Cricket Bat
Sachin’s first cricket bat was gifted to him by his sister, Savita.
6. Shared the Cricket Ground with Vinod Kambli
Sachin and Vinod Kambli were childhood friends and shared a record partnership of 664 runs in a school match.
7. Rejected a Scholarship
Sachin was offered a scholarship at the prestigious Shardashram Vidyamandir School, which he accepted to further his cricketing career.
8. Favorite Cricketer
Sachin’s childhood hero was Sunil Gavaskar, one of India’s greatest opening batsmen.
9. First-Class Debut Century
Sachin scored a century on his first-class debut for Bombay (now Mumbai) at the age of 15, making him the youngest Indian to do so.
10. Only Cricketer to Have Played Under All 5 Australian Captains
Sachin is the only cricketer to have played against Australia under all five Australian World Cup-winning captains—Allan Border, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, and Aaron Finch.
11. Bowlers Feared Him
Sachin has the rare distinction of having taken the wickets of some of the most dangerous batsmen in cricket, including Brian Lara, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Ricky Ponting.
12. Only Player to Score 100 International Centuries
Sachin is the only cricketer to have scored 100 international centuries—51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs.
13. First Double Century in ODIs
Sachin became the first player in the history of cricket to score a double century in an ODI, achieving the feat against South Africa in 2010.
14. A Passionate Car Enthusiast
Sachin has a collection of luxury cars, including a Ferrari 360 Modena, which was gifted to him by Michael Schumacher.
15. Youngest Indian to Win the Bharat Ratna
In 2014, Sachin became the youngest recipient of India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, at the age of 40.
16. First Overseas Test Century
Sachin’s first Test century on foreign soil was against England at Old Trafford in 1990, where he scored an unbeaten 119.
17. Injuries Never Stopped Him
Despite multiple injuries throughout his career, including a broken nose and a tennis elbow, Sachin continued to perform at the highest level.
18. Bowling Achievements
Sachin has 200 international wickets to his name—46 in Tests, 154 in ODIs, and 0 in T20Is.
19. Runs in the World Cup
Sachin is the highest run-scorer in World Cup history, with 2,278 runs in 45 matches.
20. Ambassador of UNICEF
Sachin has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2003, working for the welfare of underprivileged children.
21. Rajya Sabha Nomination
In 2012, Sachin was nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of India’s Parliament.
22. Test Debut Was Against Waqar Younis
Sachin made his Test debut against Pakistan, facing the formidable pace attack of Waqar Younis.
23. First ODI Century Took 79 Matches
Despite being a prolific run-scorer, Sachin took 79 ODIs to score his first century, which came against Australia in 1994.
24. Secret of His Batting
Sachin used a very heavy bat, weighing around 1.47 kilograms, which is much heavier than the average cricket bat.
25. Actor in a Bollywood Movie
Sachin made a special appearance in the Bollywood movie “Stumped” in 2003.
26. Personal Cricket Ground
Sachin has a personal cricket ground at his residence, where he practices regularly.
27. Mentor to Young Cricketers
After retiring, Sachin has mentored young cricketers, including Arjun Tendulkar, his son, who is a promising fast bowler.
28. Partnership with Sehwag
The Sachin-Sehwag opening partnership is one of the most successful in ODIs, with over 3,000 runs.
29. Iconic Advertising Campaigns
Sachin has been the face of several iconic advertising campaigns, including Boost and Pepsi.
30. Favorite Cuisine
Sachin is a foodie and loves seafood, especially prawns and sushi.
31. His Lucky Charm
Sachin considers the number 10 jersey as his lucky charm, which he wore throughout his ODI career.
32. Childhood Pranks
Sachin was a notorious prankster in his childhood, often playing tricks on his friends and family.
33. Early Rise to Fame
By the age of 19, Sachin had already played 16 Tests and 65 ODIs, establishing himself as a cricket prodigy.
34. First Man to Score 2000 Runs in World Cups
Sachin was the first cricketer to score 2000 runs in World Cup matches, setting the benchmark for future players.
35. Endorsed for Quality Brands
Sachin was the first cricketer to sign a deal worth Rs. 100 crore with MRF, a leading tire manufacturer.
36. Social Media Presence
Sachin has a massive following on social media, with millions of fans across platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
37. Authored Books
Sachin has written his autobiography, “Playing It My Way,” which became a bestseller.
38. Played for Yorkshire
In 1992, Sachin became the first overseas-born player to represent Yorkshire County Cricket Club in England.
39. The ‘Desert Storm’ Innings
Sachin’s back-to-back centuries in Sharjah in 1998 against Australia, known as the ‘Desert Storm,’ are among his most memorable innings.
40. Master Blaster’s Nicknames
Apart from ‘Little Master,’ Sachin is also fondly called ‘Master Blaster’ by his fans.
41. Respect for His Elders
Sachin never forgets to pay respect to his coaches, teachers, and elders, a trait instilled in him since childhood.
42. Fan of Tennis
Sachin is an ardent fan of tennis and considers Roger Federer as his favorite player.
43. A Religious Man
Sachin is deeply spiritual and visits Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai before any major cricket tournament.
44. Cricketing Family
Sachin’s brother, Ajit Tendulkar, also played cricket at the junior level, but it was Sachin who carried the family’s cricketing legacy forward.
45. A Friend to Many
Sachin shares a close friendship with many cricketers around the world, including Shane Warne and Brian Lara.
46. Inspiration for Many
Young cricketers like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and many others have cited Sachin as their inspiration.
47. Contribution to Indian Cricket
Sachin played a crucial role in mentoring the next generation of Indian cricketers, contributing to India’s success in the 2011 World Cup.
48. Awarded the Padma Vibhushan
Sachin was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, in 2008.
49. Love for Music
Sachin enjoys listening to music in his free time, with Kishore Kumar being one of his favorite singers.
50. A Humble Legend
Despite all his achievements, Sachin remains humble and grounded, always attributing his success to his family, coaches, and fans.
Conclusion
The path travelled by Sachin Tendulkar is evidence of his commitment, tenacity, and passion for the game. These lesser-known facts offer a deeper look into the life of a man who has inspired millions of people worldwide, despite the fact that his cricketing records are well-known. Sachin is still an inspiration to many, both on and off the field, showing that greatness is attainable with perseverance and humility.