Key Points
- Sachin Tendulkar, born April 24, 1973, in Mumbai, is widely regarded as one of cricket’s greatest players.
- He scored 34,357 runs in 664 international matches, including 100 centuries, a record.
- Tendulkar received the Bharat Ratna in 2014, India’s highest civilian honor, and is known for philanthropy.
- His career spanned 24 years, with notable achievements in Test and ODI cricket.
Early Life
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar was born into a Marathi family in Mumbai, with his father Ramesh being a novelist and poet, and his mother Rajni working in insurance. Named after music director Sachin Dev Burman, he grew up in Bandra (East) and was initially interested in tennis before focusing on cricket, inspired by his brother Ajit.
Cricket Career
Tendulkar debuted for India at 16, playing his first Test on November 15, 1989, against Pakistan. Over 24 years, he played 200 Tests and 463 ODIs, scoring 15,921 and 18,426 runs respectively, with 51 and 49 centuries. He also took 201 wickets. His records include the most runs in both formats and the first ODI double century (200* in 2010). He retired from ODIs in 2012 and Tests in 2013.
Awards and Legacy
Tendulkar’s accolades include the Arjuna Award (1994), Padma Vibhushan (2008), and Bharat Ratna (2014), making him the first sportsperson to receive India’s highest honor. His contributions to cricket and society, including philanthropy, have cemented his legacy as the “God of Cricket.”
Survey Note: Comprehensive Biography of Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, born on April 24, 1973, in Mumbai, India, is universally acknowledged as one of the greatest cricketers in history, earning nicknames like “Little Master,” “Master Blaster,” and “God of Cricket.” His career, spanning over two decades, redefined batting excellence, and his contributions extend beyond cricket into philanthropy and public service. This note provides a detailed examination of his life, career, and legacy, drawing from multiple authoritative sources.
Early Life and Family Background
Tendulkar was born at Nirmal Nursing Home in Dadar, Mumbai, into a Maharashtrian family. His father, Ramesh Tendulkar, was a noted Marathi-language novelist and poet, while his mother, Rajni, worked in the insurance industry at L.I.C. Named after the legendary music director Sachin Dev Burman, Tendulkar grew up in the Sahitya Sahawas Cooperative Housing Society in Bandra (East). He has three older half-siblings—Nitin, Ajit, and Savita—from his father’s first marriage. His brother Ajit played in Bombay’s Kanga Cricket League and was instrumental in introducing Tendulkar to cricket. As a child, Tendulkar was interested in both tennis, idolizing John McEnroe, and cricket, which eventually became his passion.
Cricket Career: A Journey of Records and Excellence
Tendulkar’s cricketing journey began early, with him receiving his first cricket bat at age 11. Enrolled at Sharadashram Vidyamandir High School, known for its cricketing legacy, he scored a world-record 326 out of 664 in a school match at age 14. His talent was evident, and predictions of a stellar career were common.
- Debut and Early Years: He made his Test debut on November 15, 1989, against Pakistan in Karachi at age 16, becoming the youngest Indian to play Test cricket (cap 187). His ODI debut followed on December 18, 1989, against Pakistan (cap 74), and his T20I debut was on December 1, 2006, against South Africa (cap 11).
- Career Statistics: Over 24 years, Tendulkar played 664 international matches, including 200 Tests, 463 ODIs, and 1 T20I. He scored 34,357 runs, with 15,921 in Tests (average 53.78, 51 centuries, 68 fifties, best 248) and 18,426 in ODIs (average 44.83, 49 centuries, 96 fifties, best 200). He also bowled, taking 201 wickets (46 in Tests, 154 in ODIs, 1 in T20I), with a best bowling of 5/32 in ODIs.
- Notable Performances: Key innings include his 200* against South Africa in 2010, the first ODI double century, and the “Desert Storm” 143 against Australia in 1998. In the 2003 World Cup, he scored 673 runs, the highest in a single tournament.
- Captaincy: He captained India in 25 Tests and 73 ODIs, suggesting MS Dhoni as his successor, a decision that proved pivotal for Indian cricket.
Tendulkar’s records are extensive: he is the highest run-scorer in Tests and ODIs, the first to score 100 international centuries, and the only player with over 30,000 runs in international cricket. He achieved 50,000 runs in all recognized formats on October 5, 2013, during the Champions League Twenty20, and scored 1,894 ODI runs in 1998, a calendar-year record.
Awards and Honors: Recognition of Excellence
Tendulkar’s contributions were recognized with numerous awards:
- National Honors: Arjuna Award (1994), Khel Ratna Award (1997), Padma Shri (1998), Padma Vibhushan (2008), and Bharat Ratna (2014), making him the first sportsperson and, at the time, the youngest recipient of India’s highest civilian honor.
- International Recognition: Inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2019, he also received the Asian Awards for “People’s Choice” and “Exceptional Achievement in Sports” in 2010 in London.
Political Career: Service Beyond Cricket
From April 27, 2012, to April 26, 2018, Tendulkar served as a nominated Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, with an attendance of 8%. He donated his entire salary, approximately ₹90 lakh (US$110,000), to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund, reflecting his commitment to public welfare.
Personal Life: Family and Faith
Tendulkar married Anjali Mehta, a paediatrician of Gujarati origin, on May 24, 1995. They have two children: Sara and Arjun. A devout Hindu, he is a devotee of Ganesha and a follower of Sathya Sai Baba, living in Bandra, Mumbai.
Business Interests: Ventures and Endorsements
Tendulkar’s business acumen is evident in his endorsement deals and investments:
- Signed with WorldTel in 1995 for ₹300 million (US$3.5 million) over five years, and in 2001 for ₹800 million (US$9.5 million). In 2006, he signed with Saatchi and Saatchi for ₹1.8 billion (US$21 million) over three years.
- Owns restaurants Tendulkar’s in Colaba and Sachin’s in Mulund, Mumbai.
- Co-owned Kerala Blasters FC and Bengaluru Blasters.
- His net worth was estimated at US$160 million in 2013, and he was listed in the Pandora Papers in 2021, with investments confirmed as legitimate and taxed.
Philanthropy: Commitment to Social Good
Tendulkar’s philanthropy is extensive:
- Appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for South Asia in November 2013, he has been a national ambassador for India.
- Established the Sachin Tendulkar Foundation, focusing on education and health.
- Supported polio prevention with UNICEF in 2003 and raised ₹10.25 million (US$270,000) for the Crusade Against Cancer Foundation in 2010.
- Donated retinal cameras to Assam in November 2021 and contributed to COVID-19 relief, donating ₹50 lakh (US$60,000) in March 2020 and ₹1 crore (US$120,000) in April 2021 to PM and CM Relief Funds.
- Appointed as a Swachh Bharat Mission ambassador in 2014 by Narendra Modi, leading Team Swachh Bharat, and awarded the most effective Swachhta Ambassador in 2019.
- Sponsors education for 200 children via Apnalaya since 2009, and in 2011, a Coca-Cola-NDTV telethon raised ₹70 million (US$1.7 million) for education.
Post-Retirement: Continued Influence
After retiring from international cricket—announcing ODI retirement on December 23, 2012, and IPL retirement on May 26, 2013—Tendulkar remained active:
- Captained the MCC in a bicentenary celebration match at Lord’s in July 2014.
- Served on the Cricket Advisory Committee from 2015 to 2018, resigning amid controversy, though the complaint was dismissed in 2019.
- Debuted as a cricket commentator during the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup and was an ambassador for the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Media and Publications: Cultural Impact
Tendulkar’s media presence is significant:
- Appeared on Kaun Banega Crorepati in 2001 with Vinod Kambli.
- Released Tendulkar Opus in 2011 by Kraken Opus, with a Blood Edition priced at US$75,000, proceeds going to charity.
- Published his autobiography, Playing It My Way, on November 6, 2014, with 150,289 pre-publication orders, ghostwritten by Boria Majumdar, and entered the Limca Book of Records in 2016.
- Featured in films like Sachin: A Billion Dreams (2017, docudrama, mixed reviews) and Sachin: The Ultimate Winner (2023, depicting a child inspired by him).
Career Statistics and Records: A Table of Achievements
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Centuries | Fifties | Best Score | Wickets | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 200 | 15,921 | 53.78 | 51 | 68 | 248* | 46 | 3/10 |
| ODI | 463 | 18,426 | 44.83 | 49 | 96 | 200* | 154 | 5/32 |
| T20I | 1 | – | – | 0 | 0 | – | 1 | – |
| First-Class | 310 | 25,396 | 57.84 | 81 | 116 | 248* | 71 | 3/10 |
| List A | 551 | 21,999 | 45.54 | 60 | 114 | 200* | 201 | 5/32 |
Tendulkar’s records include being the first to score 50,000 runs in all formats, holding the most Test centuries (51), most ODI centuries (49), and most combined centuries (100). He played the longest Test career (24 years), most Test matches (200), and most ODI matches (463), with 76 player-of-the-match awards.
Legacy and Cultural Impact
To Indians, Tendulkar was more than a cricketer; he was an emotion, a symbol of hope, and a cultural icon. His humility, despite global veneration, allowed him to perform consistently for over two decades. His autobiography and films continue to inspire, and his philanthropy underscores his commitment to social good.
This comprehensive biography highlights Tendulkar’s journey from a Mumbai prodigy to a global legend, encapsulating his cricketing prowess, societal contributions, and enduring legacy.
