Discover who the god of cricket in India is and understand why he holds this title. Also, learn about his impressive career statistics, total runs scored, centuries achieved, and other remarkable accomplishments.

The Legend God of Cricket in India

Throughout the last century, many legends have graced the game of cricket, but none have shown the same level of consistency and dominance as former Indian cricketer and batting legend Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is known as god of cricket in India.

With an illustrious career spanning over three decades, Tendulkar participated in 664 international matches across all formats. His accomplishments set a standard that remains unmatched even a decade after he retired from the sport.

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Achievements of the God of Cricket in India

Sachin Tendulkar holds numerous records, such as scoring the most centuries in a single calendar year and being the first player to score a double century in One Day Internationals (ODIs). His career is filled with remarkable records, leaving a significant impact on the game. When Tendulkar finally won the ODI World Cup in 2011 after six attempts, Virat Kohli, often referred to as the king of cricket, famously said during the post-match ceremony, “He (Sachin Tendulkar) has carried the burden of the nation for 21 years; it was time we carried him.”

“Nothing bad can happen to us if we’re on a plane in India with Sachin Tendulkar on it.”
— Hashim Amla on Sachin Tendulkar

Why is Sachin Tendulkar the God of Cricket in India?

During his long career of 24 years, the god of cricket in India, Sachin Tendulkar, played an astounding 782 innings across Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. His highest score was an unbeaten 248. He accumulated an incredible 34,357 runs, which include 100 centuries and 164 fifties.

Most Runs in International Cricket

Player	For	Span	Matches	Innings	Runs
Sachin Tendulkar	IND	1989-2013	664	782	34357
K Sangakkara	SL	2000-2015	594	666	28016
R Ponting	AUS	1995-2012	560	668	27483
V Kohli	IND	2008-2023	518	574	26532
M Jayawardene	SL	1997-2015	652	725	25957

The gap between Tendulkar, the god of cricket in India, and the second-highest run-scorer, Kumar Sangakkara, clearly highlights his greatness. Sangakkara has scored 6,341 runs fewer than Tendulkar. The names that follow in the list of top run-getters further emphasize Tendulkar’s superiority.

Three-time World Cup winner and Australian legend Ricky Ponting finished his career with 6,874 runs less than Tendulkar. Virat Kohli, hailed as the best player of the last decade, has tallied 26,532 runs in 518 matches, making it unlikely that he will reach Tendulkar’s monumental record.

Tendulkar’s commitment to the game is evident through his participation in over 600 international matches. This dedication demonstrates his discipline and love for cricket. The Mumbai-born player faced multiple generations of bowlers, endured numerous injuries, and overcame many heartbreaks to achieve greatness, solidifying his status as the god of cricket in India.

Most Centuries in International Cricket

Player	For	Span	Matches	Centuries	Tests	ODIs	T20Is
Sachin Tendulkar	IND	1989-2013	664	100	51	49	0
V Kohli	IND	2008-2023	518	80	29	50	1
R Ponting	AUS	1995-2012	560	71	41	30	0
K Sangakkara	SL	2000-2015	594	63	38	25	0
J Kallis	SA	1995-2014	519	62	45	17	0

Centuries of the God of Cricket in India

Tendulkar is the only cricketer to have achieved a century of centuries in international cricket, a record that is unlikely to be surpassed soon. While Kohli recently became the first cricketer to reach 50 centuries in ODIs during the 2023 World Cup, he is still 20 centuries behind his idol, Tendulkar, despite having played for almost a decade longer.

Although Kohli has made significant progress, legends like Ponting, Sangakkara, and Jacques Kallis remain far behind. Kallis, impressive in Test matches, is only six centuries short of Tendulkar, but it is Tendulkar’s remarkable consistency across all formats that truly establishes him as the best cricketer in the world.

“I would like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing us to breathe the same air as you do.”
— Shahrukh Khan’s sentiments about Sachin Tendulkar

Most Player of the Match Awards in International Cricket

Player For Span Matches Awards Tests ODIs T20Is
Sachin Tendulkar IND 1989-2013 664 76 14 62 0
V Kohli IND 2008-2023 518 66 10 41 15
S Jayasuriya SL 1989-2011 586 58 4 48 6
J Kallis SA 1995-2014 519 57 23 32 2
K Sangakkara SL 2000-2015 594 50 16 31 3

Player of the Match Awards for the God of Cricket in India

Tendulkar holds the record for the most Player of the Match awards in international cricket, underscoring that he was not merely another batsman aiming to pad his statistics; he significantly contributed to most of the matches he played.

He was a mainstay in India’s Test team throughout his 24-year career. In ODIs, Tendulkar often single-handedly led his team to victory. Out of 452 innings in ODIs, he stood out as the Player of the Match 62 times, a remarkable feat 21 times more than Kohli, who is often regarded as the best ODI player ever.

Tendulkar’s numerous accolades illustrate that he played a vital role in most matches he participated in. His exceptional record highlights his importance in many games.

Sachin Tendulkar Runs in ODI by Match Results

Result	Span	Innings	Runs	Best	Average
Won Match	1990-2012	231	11157	200*	56.63
Lost Match	1989-2012	200	6585	175	33.25
Tied Match	1991-2012	5	166	120	33.2
No Result	1992-2009	16	518	105*	47.09

Tendulkar’s Impact on India’s Success as the God of Cricket in India

The cricket-loving nation of India often turned off their TV sets after Sachin Tendulkar, the god of cricket in India, got out, as his presence directly influenced many of the team’s victories.

Tendulkar scored 11,157 runs that contributed to India’s winning matches, averaging 56.63, accounting for 19.7% of the team’s runs. Even when India lost, he still amassed over 6,000 runs, illustrating his critical role in the team’s success.

Whether it’s his remarkable skills on the field or his influential aura off the field, both cricketers and fans alike hold Tendulkar in high esteem. The quotes reflecting his impact speak volumes about his legacy in cricket.

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Who is the God of Cricket in India?