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ToggleFormer India batsman Sachin Tendulkar, on Thursday, became the sixth Indian to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. Sunil Gavaskar, Bishan Singh Bedi, Kapil Dev, Rahul Dravid and Anil Kumble are the other five.
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Tendulkar, who played 200 Tests and has scored the most number of runs in Test cricket, was inducted a soon as he became eligible for induction on Monday. The late induction is because of the ICC guidelines which say that a player cannot be inducted into the Hall of Fame until and unless it has been five years since he has retired. Tendulkar last played an international game in November 2013.
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“On this occasion, I would like to thank all of those who were by my side over a long international career. My parents, brother Ajit and wife Anjali have been pillars of strength while I was lucky to have someone like coach Ramakant Achrekar as an early guide and mentor,” Tendulkar said.
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Tributes have been pouring in from all corners for Tendulkar and his former teammate Gautam Gambhir also joined the bandwagon. Gambhir too to Twitter to congratulate his former teammate. The former India opener wrote:
“Congratulations on being inducted in the #ICCHallOfFame @sachin_rt paaji. Something I earnestly believe should have happened in your playing days itself ?? Very well deserved.”
Congratulations on being inducted in the #ICCHallOfFame @sachin_rt paaji. Something I earnestly believe should have happened in your playing days itself ?? Very well deserved. pic.twitter.com/WGPbvLIeBZ
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) July 19, 2019
Tendulkar scored a staggering 34,357 runs across formats, more than 6,000 ahead of the second-placed Kumar Sangakkara. In terms of centuries, he hit 100 and is 29 clear of the next on the list, Ricky Ponting. In ODIs, he has hit 49 tons while in Tests, he has scored 51 tons. In 2011, he helped India win their second World Cup.