Sachin Tendulkar seals his 100th international century for India

Sachin Tendulkar became the first batsman to score a hundred international centuries in India’s one-day defeat by Bangladesh on Friday.

Tendulkar reached the milestone in the 44th over with a gentle nudge behind square-leg, before taking off his helmet and giving the customary wave of his willow to the Indian supporters.

His final score of 114 also marked the Little Master’s first century against Bangladesh in one-day internationals, completing his set of centuries against every ICC full member nation in one-day and Test formats.

Cricket fans had eagerly awaited Friday’s landmark for just over a year after he scored his 99th ton against South Africa on 11 March in the 2011 World Cup.

Questions have been raised over 38-year-old’s ability to continue to play at the top level during the year-long wait – but his achievement will dispel any lingering doubts.

“A year ago when I got my 99th hundred no-one spoke about it during the World Cup, then I guess it was the media who began talking about it,” said Tendulkar.

“Wherever I went, to a restaurant, the house keeping, the room service, whoever I met just spoke about the 100th hundred.

“It became a little difficult mentally, because I am not playing only for my 100th hundred.

“The 99 hundreds that I scored, nobody spoke about them. Everyone had their opinion but eventually I have got to do what is important for the team

Despite Tendulkar’s landmark score, his side lost to Bangladesh by five wickets with four balls remaining in the Asia Cup group match.

A solid batting performance by Bangladesh saw Tamim Iqbal, Jahurul Islam and Nasir Hossain all pass 50 to overcome India’s total of 289.

Tributes to Sachin Tendulkar

England captain Andrew Strauss: “Sachin is a player by which all others are measured over the last 10-15 years, and for him to go out and get a hundred hundreds is an amazing achievement without precedent – it’s unlikely to be achieved again.”

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly: “His is simply terrific. His record says everything – the number of years he has spent in the middle and the number of runs he has scored for India. He has shouldered the responsibility. For me he is the best ever.”

England batsman Kevin Pietersen: “Seriously has anyone actually thought about what Sachin has done here?? 100 100′s!!!! Absolutely unbelievable.”

Former Australia captain Steve Waugh: “For longevity and consistency and what he’s done for his country, for 1.2 billion people, with so much pressure, he’s an amazing player.”

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