Sachin Tendulkar, unquestionably the greatest of all time in the game of cricket, has scored a massive amount of runs, irrespective of the format. During his long and magnificent cricketing career of 24 years, whether it’s about a technique, improvement, or consistency, Tendulkar has emerged as one of the best in the business. Tendulkar, with marvelous 100 centuries in international cricket, for India, has 34,357 international runs in his account.

Considering his worthwhile stint with the IPL’s most successful team Mumbai Indians (MI), Tendulkar was bought by MI as an ‘Icon Player,’ in 2008, the first edition of the IPL. Indian Premier League (IPL) authorities then, confirmed that top players will represent their respective home city sides, to escalate the number of supporters and interest among the locals, for the game. Tendulkar represented his home city Mumbai, as MI bought the 35-year-old then, for a massive price of US $975 thousand.

Tendulkar played 78 matches for Mumbai Indians (MI) and has scored 2334 runs, at a strike rate of 119.82. Besides, he captained MI from 2008-to 2011. However, Mumbai Indians failed to make a mark under the Indian veteran and Tendulkar stepped down from the role and handed the captaincy to Harbhajan Singh.

The best of Sachin Tendulkar as a captain of MI came in 2010, as MI reached the finals of the tournament but lost against Chennai Super Kings. Later, the captaincy of MI was handed to Rohit Sharma and the young captain lead MI to their first title of the tournament.

Sachin played in the IPL till 2013 and saw MI lifting the title, before exiting the stage. During this roller coaster ride, the current mentor of MI has played some fine knocks for his team; let’s have a look at some: 

100* (66) vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala

Kochi Tuskers Kerala (KTK) was one of two teams added for IPL 2011, by the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India). It was the 13th match of the tournament and after winning the toss, KTK elected to field first. Batting first, Tendulkar, while captaining Mumbai Indians (MI), opened the inning and carried the bat.

After a 50-run stand with his opening partner Davy Jacobs, Tendulkar stood firm and built a partnership of 116 (68) with Ambati Rayudu. MI posted a decent score of 182 for two. Tendulkar scored 100 not out with 12 fours and three sixes, the first and the only century of his IPL career, at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai.

Besides, Sachin’s century ended up in a losing cause as KTK with the help of Brendon McCullum’s 81 off 60, skipper Mahela Jayawardene’s 56 (36), and Ravindra Jadeja’s short cameo won the match by eight wickets, six balls spared. While third in the row for Orange Cap, Sachin that season, smashed 553 runs in 16 innings with this century and two more half-centuries.

74 (44) vs Chennai Super Kings

Playing their 11th match of the tournament, Mumbai Indians (MI) were having a decent run throughout the IPL 2012. Under the captaincy of Harbhajan Singh, MI won the toss and elected to field first, against MS Dhoni‘s Chennai Super Kings. While batting first, CSK posted a respectable target of 174 runs.

While Sachin again, opening the batting for MI, built a long partnership of 126 runs off 81 deliveries with Mumbai’s current skipper and number three batter then, Rohit Sharma. Tendulkar, chasing the target, scored a match-winning knock of 74 runs off 44 deliveries, with the help of 11 boundaries and a six. In the end, a short batting cameo of 24* (9) by Dwayne Smith sealed a thrilling victory for MI.

Tendulkar, went on to score 324 runs in 13 innings, during the season. While MI, qualified for playoffs and lost against CSK in the eliminator. 

 

63(32) vs Delhi Daredevils

It was the ninth match of the IPL 2010, played between Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Daredevils (DD) at Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi (Feroz Shah Kotla, Stadium then). Winning the toss, DD (now Delhi Capitals) elected to field first. Opening the innings with a Sri Lankan veteran, fans witnessed a vintage version of Sachin, as he scored 63 runs in 32 deliveries, with the help of 11 boundaries and surprisingly no six! The Mumbai skipper then smashed Delhi bowlers at a massive strike rate of 196.87.

While MI, with the help of half-centuries from Sachin and Saurabh Tiwary, posted a huge target of 219. On the other hand, Mumbai’s stunning bowling unit made it too much for DD, as Gautam Gambhir led DD couldn’t bat for 20 overs and MI sealed the victory with a large margin of 98 runs.

Furthermore, Tendulkar was the top scorer of the season, as he scored 618 runs in 15 innings, with five half-centuries.

Written By Prachi Pisal 

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