On 16th March 2012, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar became the first player in International cricket to score hundred centuries when he faced Bangladesh in the Asia Cup at the Sher-e-Bangla stadium in Mirpur. It was a huge weight of his shoulder and it was evident in his reaction when he reached the magic number in the 44th over with nudge to square leg. Sachin, who was never one to show his emotions or celebrate over the top was more reserved than ever as he kissed the crest on his helmet and looked up to the heavens to acknowledge the gift from the one above.

But one could clearly see in his demeanor that how much this landmark meant to him and pretty sure his journey right from the ‘moment he first picked up a bat to the moment he reached the century of centuries’ flashed before his eyes.

Many of his critics will say that he was in his twilight of his career and was only playing to reach this landmark – ironically Sachin had to wait for 34 innings to reach the landmark having scored his 99th ton against South Africa in Nagpur on March 12, 2011 – almost a year to the day.

But people fail to realize the dedication and single-mindedness needed to achieve such a glittering career lasting over two decades at the very top. Watch his incredible innings below–

The significance of this landmark cannot be undermined as the one closest to Sachin’s number was Ricky Ponting who scored 71 centuries during his career.

After being dismissed for 114, he said: “I was not thinking about the milestone. It hasn’t sunk in.”

He added: “A year ago when I got my 99th hundred no-one spoke about it during the World Cup, then I guess it was the media who began talking about it.

“Wherever I went, to a restaurant, the housekeeping, the room service, whoever I met just spoke about the 100th hundred.

“It became a little difficult mentally because I am not playing only for my 100th hundred.

“The 99 hundreds that I scored, nobody spoke about them. Everyone had their opinion but eventually I have got to do what is important for the team.

“I have lost about 50 kilos. Enjoy the game and chase your dreams. I had to wait for 22 years for one dream, the World Cup.”