JOIN USSachin Tendulkar narrowly missed scoring his much-anticipated 100th international ton against the West Indies in 2011, but he is all set to play his last international match, the 200th Test, against the Caribbeans.
The November 14-18 match, the venue for which is yet to be decided, will be Tendulkar’s final international outing for India and some of the West Indian players were excited to be part of that special moment.
“Obviously it's a tremendous series for me and obviously I get an opportunity to meet a guy like Sachin Tendulkar,” said Kieran Powell, currently leading West Indies ‘A’ against India ‘A’ here in the final four-day match. The southpaw, who made his Test debut against India in Roseau in 2011, is impressed by the Mumbaikar’s longevity.
“It’s a tremendous longevity and he has scored lot of runs all over the world,” he noted.
“He is a remarkable player with over 50,000 first-class runs. Absolutely brilliant and I am absolutely happy for him. I wish him well for his life after cricket. I hope he goes out on a high on his last Test. Unfortunately he is playing against West Indies but I really wish he scores a hundred and finish on a high. What a tremendous feat and what a tremendous guy!”
Tendulkar has one of the better records against the West Indies with 1546 runs at an average of 55.21, a shade better than his career average of 53.86. His record against Windies at home is even more impressive – 976 runs at 61.73.
Powell also recalled Tendulkar missing his 100th international century against West Indies. “I played two Test matches against him. One was in 2011 in Mumbai where he got out on 94 and that would have been his 100th international hundred. That was remarkable as he played some great shots in that innings.”
Another member of the squad for the forthcoming series, Kirk Edwards, termed it a historical moment. “It will be his 200th Test match and that’s a remarkable achievement. I don’t think any other guy can achieve this rare feat. I am really proud of his accomplishments and very happy for him,” he remarked.
Edwards, like Powell, made his debut against India in Roseau and has some fond memories of it as he scored a century on debut.
Tendulkar didn’t play that series but Edwards said the retiring batsman has always been inspiration for him. “He is definitely an inspiration in my career especially when I came into the team following a rough patch. My first interaction with Sachin was after my third Test in India (in 2011) and that was big moment for me,” he recalled.