Sachin becomes first batsman to score 200 in an ODI

M.today

Gwalior, Feb.24: Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar added another feather to his cap when he became the first batsman to cross the 200-run mark in an one-day international at Captain Roop Singh Stadium in Gwalior on Wednesday.

 

 

Tendulkar achieved the unique landmark when he run a single off Langeveldt against South Africa in the second one-dayer of the ongoing three-match series.

Sachin’s 200 came off 147 balls, which include 25 fours and 3 sixes.

The master surpassed the previous highest individual score made by Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar (194 against India in 1997) and Charles Coventry of Zimbabwe (194 not out against Bangladesh in 1999).

Tendulkar started his innings aggressively and made a quick-fire 37-ball fifty before finally completing his century in 90 balls. Sachin extended his lead for the record of most number of centuries to 17 as Ricky Ponting lies in the second place with 29 centuries.

Tendulkar continued his record breaking form as he had slammed his 46th Test ton in the final match of the longer version of the game against the Proteas earlier.

After losing Virender Sehwag (9) early in the innings, Tendulkar put on 194-run partnership with Dinesh Karthik (79 off 85 balls), who slammed his fourth ODI fifty, against South Africa.

Earlier, India skipper MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat against South Africa in the second One-dayer of the three match series.

Virender Sehwag, who was doubtful for the second ODI, is fit to play in Gwalior as Dhoni kept the same squad. On the other hand Proteas have made three changes. Jean-Paul Duminy, Roelof van der Merwe and Hashim Amla have made it to the playing eleven.

After escaping with a narrow win in Jaipur, India would aim to plug their bowling loopholes and seal the three-match series to retain the number two spot in ICC rankings when they take on South Africa in the second ODI on Wednesday.

History favours the hosts at this venue since out of nine matches they have played here, seven have resulted in victory for India.

India: MS Dhoni (captain), SR Tendulkar, V Sehwag, V Kohli, SK Raina, YK Pathan, KD Karthik, RA Jadeja, P Kumar, A Nehra, S Sreesanth

South Africa: JH Kallis (captain), HM Amla, HH Gibbs, AB de Villiers, JP Duminy, AN Petersen, MV Boucher†, RE van der Merwe, WD Parnell, DW Steyn, CK Langeveldt.