OTD in 2009: Sachin Tendulkar became first player to record 30,000 runs in international cricket

Sachin Tendulkar. (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

Fifteen years ago, on November 20, in 2009, the former India batter and legend, Sachin Tendulkar, became the first cricketer to surpass 30,000 international runs. This historic feat was achieved during the first Test between India and Sri Lanka at Ahmedabad’s Motera Stadium (now Narendra Modi Stadium), adding another feather to Tendulkar’s illustrious cap.

The historic moment came during India’s second innings when the former clipped a delivery from Sri Lankan pacer Chanaka Welegedara to the deep square leg for a single. The run took him past 30,000 international runs, making him the first international cricketer to do so.

Meanwhile, Team India’s first innings total of 426 was built around Rahul Dravid’s 177 and captain MS Dhoni’s counter-attacking 110. In reply, Sri Lanka declared at 760/7, featuring Mahela Jayawardene’s 275 and centuries from Tillakaratne Dilshan (112) and Prasanna Jayawardene (154* not out).

Sachin Tendulkar scored his 43rd Test century in the same innings

At the time of the milestone, the Mumbai-born’s run-tally comprised 12,777 Test runs, 17,178 ODI runs, and 10 runs from his sole T20 International appearance. The achievement became more special as Tendulkar went on to make his 43rd Test century in the same innings, remaining unbeaten on 100* as the hosts managed a hard-fought draw.

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Furthermore, Tendulkar who debuted at 16 years of age in 1989 went on to become one of the best batters of the game. By the time he retired in 2013, he had scored 34,357 international runs, a record that remains untouched. Even today, no other cricketer has reached this summit. While modern greats like Kumar Sangakkara (28,016 runs), Ricky Ponting (27,483 runs), and Virat Kohli (27,134 runs) have come close, it will take more to achieve what the little master did during his time.