OTD In 2010: Sachin Tendulkar Slammed The Maiden Double Ton In ODI History
Sachin Tendulkar after completing his 200 [Source: Twitter]
As a country of one and a half billion people, India has traditionally been a hub of gifted talents who aspire to represent the national side on a cricket field.
However, only a few see their dreams getting fulfilled, and even fewer become immortal in the hearts of the masses of this cricket-crazy nation.
Regarded as the Master Blaster, Sachin Tendulkar is arguably the greatest sportsperson to have emerged from India.
Besides recording the highest international runs, the stalwart was the first-ever cricketer to amass a double hundred in One-Day Internationals.
And guess what? He accomplished this phenomenal feat on this day in 2010.
How Sachin constructed his innings?
It was the second ODI of the three-match series between India and South Africa. After opting to bat first, India suffered an early setback, losing Virender Sehwag to Wayne Parnell in the fourth over.
However, the happiness turned out to be short-lived for the Proteas, as Tendulkar took on all their bowlers to produce a batting masterclass for ages.
Getting ample support from Dinesh Karthik at the other end, the maestro set the tone for a massive total for India through his gorgeous stroke play.
After Karthik departed in the 34th over, Yusuf Pathan and, later, MS Dhoni joined hands with the master to help the hosts breach the 400-run mark.
Meanwhile, Tendulkar completed the first-ever double hundred in ODI history in this process, guiding one wide-line yorker from Charl Langeveldt through the backward point.
The legendary opener, who was under scrutiny after India's disastrous World Cup campaign in 2007, gradually rediscovered his mojo, and this knock served as the cherry on top as he proved his mettle for the umpteenth time, silencing his critics.
Despite being at the twilight of his career, Tendulkar dominated the rampant South African pace attack comprising Dale Steyn, Wayne Parnell, Charl Langeveldt and Jacques Kallis.
As soon as Tendulkar raised his bat, India celebrated; the jam-packed Gwalior crowd was on his feet. But the talisman celebrated the milestone silently as if it was just another day when he completely bossed the opponent.
 "Debashis Sarangi")
