OTD| Sachin Tendulkar scored his 50th Test century in 2010’s Centurion Test vs South Africa

On this day Sachin Tendulkar scored his 50th century against South Africa at Centurion. He became the first-ever cricketer to complete 50 centuries in test cricket and remains the only one to scale this height. Though India lost this match, Tendulkar’s knock made this match historic in many aspects. 

First Innings

The Indian team could only manage to score 136 runs in the first innings as Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn wreaked havoc on the Indian batting order. The Proteas built upon their bowling display with a brilliant batting display in the first innings. In reply, South Africa posted more than 600 runs in the first innings courtesy of a combined effort from Jacques Kallis, Hashim Amla, and AB De Villiers. Kallis emerged as the highest run-scorer with a double century to his name. South Africa’s batting heroics raised the temperature in the Indian camp as they took a huge lead at the end of the first innings. 

Second Innings

Team India tried to stay in the contest in the second innings but the South African bowling unit was an indefatigable force which proved to be too much for Indian batters. The veteran Sachin Tendulkar played according to his reputation and stood strong in an adverse situation. Openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag made half-centuries to give India an impressive start in the second innings but after their departure, India lost the plot. A few quick dismissals in the middle overs was catastrophic for India’s prospects in this game. 

Sachin’s partnership with captain MS Dhoni kept India in the contest but their partnership was not enough to carry the team across the finishing line. With this knock, Sachin achieved what was an unimaginable peak by every cricketer before he scaled that peak. Eventually, India lost this match by an innings and 25 runs which gave South Africa the lead in the series.