One of the finest batsmen in the world, Sachin Tendulkar, has announced his retirement from the One Day Internationals just before the home series vs. Pakistan.

It was a coincidence, that the little master started his journey in the 50 overs game against Pakistan on December 18, 1989, at Municipal Stadium, Gujranwala. He played his last game against the Green Shirts as well on March 18, 2012, at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, in the fifth match of the Asia Cup 2011.

Pakistan is undertaking a short visit to India to participate in two Twenty20s followed by three One Day Internationals. The Pakistani bowlers were thrilled to cope with Tendulkar and had chalked out different plans to tackle with him,so they will feel deeply disappointed with his decision of retirement. The BCCI Chief, Sanjay Jagdale, informed the reporters about the decision of the supreme batsman by saying,

“It was not sudden. He informed us before the selection about his decision. He spoke to me and the president about his decision. Naturally he must have been (emotional) I can’t say we just spoke on the phone.”

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar was born to rule the cricket world on April 24, 1973, in Bombay, Maharashtra, a right hand top order batsman and a right arm off and leg break bowler. He has played magnificently for India, Mumbai Indians, Asia XI, Yorkshire and Mumbai. Words are not enough to cover the thrilling batting performance of Tendulkar who has sparkled with his willow against all types of bowling wherever cricket is being played across the globe.

The master blaster made his international debut at the tender age of 16 against Pakistan and from that point on he never looked back. The beginning in the ODI was not encouraging for him since he was unable to open his account in his first two matches. The national selectors had full confidence in the batting abilities of the young gun and kept on  offering him a permanent place in the team. He scored his first fifty in the 50 overs game on December 5, 1990, vs. Sri Lanka, at Pune, and that was his ninth encounter. His first three figures score was achieved in the 79^th game which was played on September 9, 1994, against Australia in the third match of the Singer World Series, at R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.

Sachin Tendulkar had to wait quite a while before he hammers his 100^th international century which was attained vs. Bangladesh. That was the fourth match of the Asia Cup 2011, which was played on March 16, 2012, at Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur, where he smashed 114 runs off 147 balls with 1 six and 12 fours. He had the honour of becoming the first batsman to score a double century in the shorter version of the game by plundering 200 runs against South Africa on February 24, 2010, at Gwalior.

The 39-year-old has played 463 ODIs, blasted 18426 runs at a superb average of 44.83, the best of unbeaten 200 runs with 49 hundreds and 96 fifties. He holds the record of most appearances along with the highest run getter title and has thrashed the most centuries  in this format of the game.

Sachin Tendulkar was the proud member of the Indian squad which clinched the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011. The final of the tournament was played on April 2, 2011, at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, against Sri Lanka, India won the match by six wickets and lifted the coveted trophy. The dream of Tendulkar to win the World Cup was fulfilled and he wanted to vacate his position for the youngsters as the Indian team will be preparing for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. Sachin Tendulkar issued a statement about his retirement and said,

“I have decided to retire from the One Day format of the game. I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup winning Indian team. The preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015 should begin early and in right earnest. I would like to wish the team all the very best for the future. I am eternally grateful to all my well wishers for their unconditional support and love over the years.”

The huge contribution made by Sachin Tendulkar in the One Day Internationals will be remembered forever by the cricket lovers all around the world, especially by his Indian fans.