Sachin Tendulkar's 200 breaks ODI Record

India's Sachin Tendulkar has scored the first ever double-century in one-day international cricket, reaching the landmark against South Africa.

Mr. Tendulkar's 200 not out on Wednesday beat the previous highest score of 194, made by Zimbabwe's Charles Coventry against Bangladesh in Bulawayo last August and Saeed Anwar of Pakistan against India at Chennai in May 1997.

Sachin - A Legend Through the Years

Take a look at some big events from Sachin's 20-year cricket career

Mr. Tendulkar's previous best was 186 not out against New Zealand at Hyderabad in November 1999.

Highest individual batting scores in one-day international cricket (x-denotes not out):

200-x Sachin Tendulkar, India vs. South Africa, Gwalior, February 2010

194-x Charles Coventry, Zimbabwe vs. Bangladesh, Bulawayo, August 2009

194 Saeed Anwar, Pakistan vs. India, Chennai, May 1997

189-x Viv Richards, West Indies vs. England, Manchester, May 1984

189 Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka vs. India, Sharjah, October 2000

188-x Gary Kirsten, South Africa vs. United Arab Emirates, Rawalpindi, February 1996

186-x Sachin Tendulkar, India vs. New Zealand, Hyderabad, November 1999

183-x Mahendra Singh Dhoni, India vs. Sri Lanka, Jaipur, October 2005

183 Sourav Ganguly, India vs. Sri Lanka, Taunton, May 1999

181-x Matthew Hayden, Australia vs. New Zealand, Hamilton, February 2007

181 Viv Richards, West Indies vs. Sri Lanka, Karachi, October 1987

India scores dramatic win over South Africa

India claimed a dramatic win in the dying minutes of the second test against South Africa on Thursday, squaring the series 1-1 and retaining top spot in the test cricket rankings.

India won by an innings and 57 runs, with that big margin disguising the nerve-racking ending to the test as the visitors got within touching distance of forcing a draw, losing the last wicket with only 13 minutes of play remaining.

South Africa's Hashim Amla, named man of the match and man of the series, remained unbeaten on 123. He lost his more accomplished batting partners at regular intervals on the final day, but shared some dogged, time-evaporating stands with the tail enders to push his team toward a draw that would have delivered a series victory and that No.1 spot in the rankings.

Harbhajan Singh (5-59) claimed the final wicket, trapping Morne Morkel lbw, prompting the Eden Gardens crowd to erupt in celebrations.

Last man Morkel had hung on valiantly, facing 60 balls as he and Amla batted for 76 minutes in their brave but ultimately fruitless 10th-wicket stand. South Africa scored 290 in its second innings after 296 in its first, compared to India's 643-6 declared in its sole innings.

After the spontaneous celebrations among the India players ended, many made their way to congratulate a disconsolate Amla, who batted throughout the final day and faced 394 balls in his innings. He finished with an aggregate of 490 runs across three innings in the two tests, only being dismissed once.

Hashim Amla hits double ton as South Africa lead India

An unbeaten double century from Hashim Amla helped South Africa to compile 558-6 declared after two days of the first Test against India at Nagpur.

Resuming on 115 with his team on 291-2, Amla took his record stand with Jacques Kallis to 340 before Kallis fell for 173, spanning close to seven hours. 

Amla was dropped twice on 149 but made 253, his maiden double century, defying the bowlers for almost 11 hours. 

South Africa can reclaim to spot in the rankings with victory in this two-Test series, with India needing a draw to retain their number one position. 

Kallis took until the ninth over of the morning to add to his overnight 159, and made just 14 in almost 90 minutes before an inside edge on to the pad was snaffled by Murali Vijay at short-leg to end the highest South African third-wicket partnership against India. 

Amla's first reprieve came when Murali put down a straightforward chance at short-leg and next ball wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni put down a difficult opportunity.

But Natal-born Amla, whose grandparents migrated from India, overcame the tricky spell and reached his double hundred with a delightful drive off spinner Virender Sehwag. 

AB De Villiers added quick runs with clever use of the feet against the spinners to notch his 21st Test fifty. 

After he skewed one and JP Duminy was lbw cheaply having missed a sweep, the redoubtable Mark Boucher shared 78 with Amla before mis-timing to cover which brought about the declaration. 

India started positively in reply, however, and Gambhir hit Morne Morkel for boundaries in successive overs, while Sehwag whipped Dale Steyn through midwicket for his first four.

"A double century is always special, be it any opposition," said 26-year-old Amla. 

"But obviously it feels great that it came on Indian soil. My game plan was to stay at the wicket for as long as possible and put the team in a strong position." 

Former South Africa batsman Gary Kirsten, the India coach, paid tribute to his countrymen after the barrage of runs.

"Our bowlers bowled their hearts out," he said. "You have days when you do not really get the results that you want, but from my point of view, I am very happy with the effort that we put in. 

"If the batting from the other side is really good, then you must acknowledge that. Amla played a superb innings. Both Kallis and he batted exceptionally well. 

"Full credit to them, they did a fantastic job considering they came in to bat when they were two down for six."

India vs South Africa: Battle for Numer One begins at Nagpur

Nagpur: Skipper MS Dhoni-led Team India (Ind) and Graeme Smith-led South Africa (SA) will clash here today at VCA ground for No.1 crown.

For India, experienced Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman and Yuvraj Singh were not playing in the 1st Test due to injury.

Young Murli Vijay, S Badrinath and Rohit Sharma is likely to replace the trio in final eleven, sources said.

S Badrinath and Rohit Sharma are all set wear their maiden Test cap today.

Skipper Dhoni has said that they will play with two pacer and two spinners. In this case, Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma will spearhead the pace attack while Harbhajan Singh and Amit Mishra will take the responsibility of spin bowling.

In the absence of Dravid and Laxman, Indian openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir will have to fire with full cylinder.

Sehwag has impressive record against South Africa. In the last series with South Africa he smashed triple century against protease. He smashed three centuries against South Africa in 10 Tests.

Gambhir has been consistent with bat but he have to be ready for some fiery short-pitch delivery.

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar's role will be crucial for team India. His experience and current form will be a nightmare for visitors.

On the other hand, South Africans are at No.2 in ICC test Ranking and they are eligible to turn the table. Dale Styen, WD Parnell and Jacques Kallis can disturb Indians with pace and bounce.

Smith, Hasim Amla, AB Devilliers, Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher can be dangerous for Indians with the bat.

Overall, stage is all set for high-voltage Test Match here today.


Match: 1st Test
Teams: Ind vs SA
Venue: VCA stadium, Nagpur
Timing: 9.30 AM