Today is the 35th anniversary of Sachin Tendulkar’s first international hundred. In 1990, during the India-England tour, the then 17 year old Tendulkar made his mark. He scored an unbeaten 119 on the last day of the second Test at Old Trafford in Manchester and helped India avoid a loss.
This was big for him, but also for the cricket fans around the world to see a future great was on the rise. The match was a turning point, the second in the series between India and England. England had scored 519 in their first innings with Graham Gooch and Michael Atherton both scoring a century. India replied with 432 with Azharuddin the captain scoring 179. In that innings Sachin scored 68 and partnered with his captain for 112 runs.
England set India a target of 408 in the fourth innings. With the pitch getting tougher to bat on India was in trouble at 127 for 5. Just when it looked bad the 17 year old stepped up. Sachin and Manoj Prabhakar added an unbeaten 160 runs for the 7th wicket and helped India draw the match. Sachin finished on 119 not out and India were 343 for 6 when the captains decided to end the match.
Tendulkar's First
— CrickeTendulkar (@CrickeTendulkar) August 14, 2025
Today in 1990 Sachin Tendulkar 1st Test Hundred
Chasing 408, India 109/4 later (183/6) V England 17 yr Old Sachin made 119* Saved Test For India.
The Legacy of @Sachin_rt & Journey of 100 Centuries started With This. #SachinTendulkar
pic.twitter.com/EoQcJMwHMy
Sachin saved the match for India. More than the runs what stood out was how well he played under pressure. In only his 9th Test match, against a strong English team and in tough conditions Tendulkar proved he belonged at the top level.
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This innings showed Indian cricket was right to believe in this young talent. For the fans it confirmed what they had only hoped until then that Tendulkar was not just good but a special talent in the making.
That hundred at Old Trafford was the start of a career that would last over two decades, 100 international hundreds and inspire many generations. It was the first of many but in some ways it was the most important the day a legend was born.
