MUMBAI: Sachin Tendulkar has fallen six runs short of becoming the first batsman to score an unprecedented 100 international centuries during the third and final test against the West Indies.
Tendulkar, who resumed on 67 at his home ground of Wankhede Stadium on Friday, was dismissed for 94 when he slashed at a delivery from pace bowler Ravi Rampaul and was caught by Darren Sammy at second slip early on the fourth day.
Tendulkar strode confidently to the crease to start the morning and drove a boundary in the very first over off Rampaul with a stylish flick to the leg side.
The new ball, taken early this morning, seemed to have no effect on Tendulkar as he straight drove Rampaul for a four and hit fellow paceman Fidel Edwards through the covers for his third four of the morning.
He then had the crowd up on its feet as he moved into the 90s with a slashed six to Edwards over third-man that took him from 87 to 93.
Tendulkar faced 20 deliveries in the morning session and smashed a total of eight fours and two sixes in a 153-ball knock.
The 100th century has been tensely anticipated since he notched two 100s during this year's World Cup to reach a total of 99.
The man known the world over as The Little Master already holds most of cricket's major batting records including the most runs and centuries in both tests and one-day internationals, as well as the highest ever one-day score _ 200 not out against South Africa at Gwalior last year.
His 52 test centuries and 48 one-day 100s are testimony not only his talent, but also a perseverance that has led to the kind of longevity rarely seen in modern-day cricket.
Comparisons to Australian great, the late Sir Donald Bradman, have been discussed over the years, but former India coach and Australia test captain Greg Chappell put things in perspective most recently in his new autobiography 'Fierce Focus.'
''Not even Don Bradman carried expectations like this, and Sachin had been bearing it since 1989,'' Chappell wrote. ''If he didn't train and then performed badly, he'd have been blamed. People would notice. And there was no relief for him going out onto the streets either. He just couldn't get any rest.''
Tendulkar has carried the burden of expectation since his debut tour to Pakistan as a chubby 16-year-old with a mess of curly hair.
From facing the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Courtney Walsh and Allan Donald to taking on the likes of Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, Brett Lee and Shaun Taite, he has mastered the world's best bowlers as both a teenager and a senior batsman.
Tendulkar's art of accumulating runs has only got better with experience and the only worthy comparison is to Bradman, who once said that the Mumbai batsman reminded him of his own playing style.
Tendulkar has limited his participation in one-dayers since scoring his double-century last year, but he remains as energetic as any of his teammates in the field, as well and while running between the wickets.
He has adjusted well to the changing nature of the game by not only perfecting new strokes like the 'upper-cut' and 'paddle-sweep' but also carving a niche in the fast paced, big hitting Indian Premier League Twenty20 tournament.
Home fans have long referred to him as the ''God of Cricket,'' but in recent years, even his teammates have put him on a pedestal and several of them went to the extent of saying they owe this year's World Cup title to him.
Tendulkar being carried on the shoulders of his teammates with the World Cup in hand remains the most memorable moment of celebration for fans in this cricket-crazy country of 1.2 billion.
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