#ThisDayThatYear: Little Master crosses the 10,000-run mark in ODIs
Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar owns a plethora of records in international cricket when it comes to batting. On March 31, 2001, the batting legend became the first ever batsman in the game's history to score 10,000 runs in One Day Internationals. He reached this incredible feat during an ODI against Australia wherein India registered a massive victory. Here is how the action unfolded.
Tendulkar reached the feat with a hundred
Batting first, Sachin Tendulkar shared a colossal 199-run stand with VVS Laxman after fellow opener Rahul Dravid's early dismissal. While Laxman was later run out on 83, the former went on to record his 28th ODI ton Tendulkar's blistering 139 off 125 balls propelled India to 299/8 at the end of 50 overs. He also reached the milestone of 10,000 runs during the innings.
The Australian batsmen could not gain momentum
The Australians could not do much damage despite a 70-ball 63 by opener Adam Gilchrist. A collective bowling display helped India bundle out Australia on a meager 181. The last six Australian batsmen could muster only 34 runs. Ajit Agarkar and Harbhajan Singh snapped up three wickets apiece, while Javagal Srinath scalped two. Sourav Ganguly also chipped in, having uprooted the dangerous Steve Waugh.
Sachin held this incredible record till 2018
Following Sachin's feat, 13 more players have emulated this landmark. But he remained the fastest to 10,000 runs (in terms of innings) until Virat Kohli broke this record in 2018. The Indian captain cleared the checkpoint in 205 innings as compared to Sachin's 259.
The Master Blaster went on to score 49 ODI centuries
Sachin Tendulkar later finished his ODI career with 49 ODI centuries to his name. He also registered 51 tons in Test cricket, thereby taking his overall century tally to 100. Australia's Ricky Ponting is the next best batsman in the elite list with 71 hundreds.
