Sachin Tendulkar: ICC Cricket World Cup record-breaker
For five different ICC Cricket World Cups (1992, 1996, 2003, 2007, 2011) Sachin Tendulkar set the cricketing world alight with his batting performances for India, even helping his side to victory in the 2011 World Cup on home soil.
Today the ‘Little Master’ turns 45, and we’re celebrating his birthday by looking back at his many magic moments for the men in blue and his finest ICC Cricket World Cup achievements.
Most runs: 2,278
No player has scored more runs at the Cricket World Cup than Sachin Tendulkar; or even come close for that matter.
He scored 2,278 runs at the tournament – more than 500 more than his nearest rival – at an average of 56.95.
His highest score at the World Cup came against Namibia in 2003, when he hit 18 fours on his way to 152 from 151 balls.
Sachin Tendulkar scores 98 against Pakistan in the 2003 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Most centuries: 6
Tendulkar’s knock of 152 was one of six occasions that he passed three figures at the World Cup.
His first century came in his second tournament in 1996, as he scored 127* against Kenya. It didn’t take long for him to record a second ton, as he went on to score 137 against Sri Lanka two weeks later.
Kenya were the victims again in 1999 when Tendulkar struck 140* in Bristol, with his fourth century coming in the aforementioned game against Namibia.
He showed he could still cut it in his final World Cup in 2011, hitting scores of 120 in a tied game against England and 111 against South Africa.
Most fifties: 15
As well as converting six fifties into centuries, Tendulkar also holds the record for the most half-centuries in World Cup history with 15.
Three came in his first tournament in 1992, three more in 1996, six in 2003, one in 2007 before finishing with two in 2011.
Most runs in a series – 673
It was the 2003 World Cup in South Africa, Kenya and Zimbabwe that Tendulkar further enhanced his reputation as one of the leading ODI batsmen of all time, as he hit 673 runs in 11 games – a record for a single edition of the tournament.
Across Africa he put on a batting masterclass, posting an impressive 152 against Namibia, 98 against Pakistan and 97 versus Sri Lanka.
He couldn’t quite lead India to victory, though, as they fell to defeat against Australia, but he would eventually get his hands on the prestigious trophy eight years later.
India will be hoping Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli and co. can emulate the Little Master at ICC Cricket World Cup 2019…
The ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 ticket ballot opens on 1 May 2018.Register here for priority accessto the cricket family ballot.