Sachin Tendulkar is cricket for many. On November 16, 2013, the batting maestro bid adieu to the sport, ending a 24-year career where he notched up many records, along with a 100 tons. He played 200 Test matches, the only player to do so and amassed 15,921 Test runs. In the One-Day International format, he has amassed 18,426 runs in 463 matches.

A champion cricketer, he was the most feared batsman during his prime and was an inspiration on and off the pitch. Around the mid-2000’s, Tendulkar went through a bit of a slump with the bat, which also coincided with a string of injuries that he had suffered. He found his groove back in 2008 and was in sublime form. Some pundits have remarked that it was the best phase of his chequered career. India also experienced a windfall in fortunes as they rose to become the top ranked Test side and in 2011, won the World Cup for the second time with Tendulkar yet again finishing as India’s top run-getter.

Tendulkar ended his career on November 16, 2013 against West Indies in his hometown, Mumbai, finishing off on a winning note. In his cricket-mad nation, Tendulkar continues to enjoy demi-god status.