On This Day: 17-Year-Old Sachin Tendulkar Scores First Test Century to Save India, Signalling the Start of Greatness
On This Day: 17-Year-Old Sachin Tendulkar Scores First Test Century to Save India, Signalling the Start of Greatness
On This Day in 1990: Teen Sachin Tendulkar Scores First Test Century at Old Trafford
Manchester, Aug 14, 1990 — At just 17 years old, Sachin Tendulkar announced himself on the world stage with his maiden Test century, helping India secure a draw against England at Old Trafford.
Playing in only his ninth Test, Tendulkar walked in at 109/4 on a deteriorating pitch, after captain Mohammad Azharuddin fell for 11. Facing a strong England attack led by skipper Graham Gooch, the teenager displayed remarkable composure, mixing fluent back-foot punches, square drives, and leg flicks.
India had been set a daunting target of 408 and looked in trouble when Kapil Dev’s dismissal left them at 183/6. Tendulkar then forged an unbeaten 140-run stand with Manoj Prabhakar, ensuring India batted out the match. He finished unbeaten, guiding the side to safety and earning widespread praise for his maturity under pressure.
The knock came after a gritty 68 in the first innings and offered an early glimpse of the greatness to follow in Tendulkar’s career, which would eventually yield 100 international centuries. Though his next hundred came 18 months later, this innings remains one of the most memorable starts to a legendary journey.
