It Was a Honour to Play for the Country and Represent India for 24 Years - Sachin Tendulkar

The Indian Cricket team legend, Sachin Tendulkar graced the international circuit on this very day in 1989, and since then he has registered numerous records. However, his magical straight drives pass the bowlers were a treat to the eyesight. Furthermore, he had made the fans from all over the world sit on the edge every time he went to the middle.

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Meanwhile, the selectors roped in young Sachin Tendulkar for the Indian tour of Pakistan in late 1989, after one first class season. The Indian selection committee showed interest to pick Tendulkar for the Windies tour held earlier that year. However, they refrained from selecting him, as they did not want to expose him to the dominant fast bowlers of the Windies so early in his career.

Tendulkar, eventually, made his Test debut against Pakistan in Karachi in November 1989 at the age of 16 years.

The legendary batsman made 15 runs before another debutant Waqar Younis rattled his timber. However, Sachin Tendulkar grabbed eyeballs for how he handled numerous blows to his body at the hands of the world-class Pakistani attack.

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In the fourth and final Test in Sialkot, he was hit on the nose by a bouncer from Younis. However, he declined medical assistance and continued to bat even, as blood came down from it. In a 20-over exhibition game in Peshawar, held along with the bilateral series, Tendulkar struck 53 runs off 18 balls, including an over where he hammered 27 runs off leg-spinner, Abdul Qadir.

The then Indian captain, Krishnamachari Srikkanth labelled this knock, as one of the best innings he has seen. In all, he scored 215 runs at an average of 35.83 in the Test series. On the other hand, Sachin Tendulkar managed to score only one run in the only ODI he played on that tour. As a result, Tendulkar became the youngest player to debut for India in Tests at the age of 16 years and 205 days and also the youngest player to debut for India in ODIs at the age of 16 years and 238 days.

Meanwhile, Sachin Tendulkar took to social media site to relive one of the best days of life. He noted that this day brings so many memories and its an honour to represent India for 24 long years.

“This day, every year, brings back so many memories of the day I 1st represented India. It was an honour to play for the country and be able to represent India for 24 years. #TBT #ThrowbackThursday,” Sachin tweeted.

This day, every year, brings back so many memories of the day I 1st represented India. It was an honour to play for the country and be able to represent India for 24 years. #TBT #ThrowbackThursday pic.twitter.com/k6cT1aT5XE

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 15, 2018