From Sharjah to Mirpur, the Little Master left a trail of milestones across the Asia Cup
When cricket takes centre stage on Asia’s grandest continental platform, a few names stand out. Among them, Sachin Tendulkar’s name resonates the loudest.
Over 23 matches in the Asia Cup between 1990 and 2012, Tendulkar scored 971 runs at an average of 51.10, making him the tournament’s third-highest run-scorer. His tally included 2 centuries and 7 half-centuries, crafted with his trademark blend of elegance and precision.
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For fans, his Asia Cup innings were not just scores on a sheet but mini-epics that shifted momentum and showcased his mastery of conditions.
Let’s revisit four of his finest performances.
It was during the Asia Cup of 2012 that Tendulkar achieved the most coveted milestone in cricket history — his 100th international century. Against Bangladesh in Mirpur, he patiently scored 114 off 147 balls, featuring 12 boundaries and one six.
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On a sluggish pitch, Tendulkar’s innings anchored India to 289/5 in 50 overs. Although Bangladesh chased the target with four balls remaining, the night belonged to Tendulkar. The landmark century marked his Asia Cup journey and ensured his name would be remembered in the record books forever.
Back in April 1995, a younger Tendulkar displayed a very different side of his batting — ruthless dominance. Chasing 203 against Sri Lanka in Sharjah, he scored a sparkling 112 not out from 107 balls, featuring 15 fours and a six.
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The strike rate of 104.67 indicated a batter ahead of his time in one-day cricket. India surpassed the target in just 33.1 overs, winning by 8 wickets with 101 balls remaining. Unsurprisingly, Tendulkar was named Player of the Match, his innings a masterclass in controlled aggression.
In the 2000 edition, Tendulkar narrowly missed out on another memorable hundred. Playing against Sri Lanka in Dhaka, he scored 93 runs off 95 balls, hitting 10 crisp boundaries.
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His innings kept India in the contest for a challenging chase of 277, but wickets fell at the other end. India collapsed for 205, losing by 71 runs, yet Tendulkar’s stroke-filled innings highlighted his ability to perform under pressure even in difficult circumstances.
By 2004, Tendulkar’s role as a senior player was firmly established, and his performance against Bangladesh in Colombo demonstrated his adaptability. Chasing 178, he scored an unbeaten 82 off 126 balls, combining patience with composure. With 10 fours and one six, Tendulkar guided India to victory by eight wickets with 69 balls remaining.
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That day, his contribution extended beyond the bat — he also claimed 3 for 35 with the ball, completing one of his rare all-round performances in ODIs. It served as a reminder of the complete cricketer Tendulkar once was.
Tendulkar’s 971 Asia Cup runs might be overtaken on paper, but the aura he brought to the tournament remains unrivalled. From milestone centuries to match-winning chases, his knocks exemplified the artistry and dependability that made him the heartbeat of Indian cricket for over twenty years.
