The little master gets better with age | Thebigtip

The rivalry between India and Australia has often produced fiery, if not spiteful encounters between two of Cricket’s traditional superpowers. Such a contest however seems to bring out the best from both teams and during the 1991-1992 tour down under, a little known Indian by the name of Sachin Tendulkar blossomed in the summer heat, making two centuries in Sydney and Perth respectively.

Tendulkar’s performance in Australia 19 years ago led the great Merv Hughes to proclaim that ‘the little master’ would go on and amass more runs than legendary aussie team-mate Allan Border.

Fast forward to 2010 and Tendulkar has long since become a Cricketing icon, conjuring more runs and centuries than any other batsman in history in both forms of the game.

And at 37 years of age, Tendulkar is still changing the record books, with his latest performance against Australia in the second test now something to saviour.

Tendulkar's 49th Test century in combination with Murali Vijay's first has seen India dominate a Test match which earlier had an Australian victory firmly on the cards.

A record third-wicket stand of 308 runs however has seen India wrestle back momentum, thanks largely to Tendulkar’s devine intervention.

Tendulkar was faultless as he rattled along towards three figures.

Having dealt successfully with the nervous-nineties on 48 previous occasions, the world's leading run-scorer, on 99, reached his 49th Test hundred in convincing fashion with a commanding six over long-on to set the excited Bangalore crowd into a frenzy.

It was a fitting way for the multiple record-holder to go to three figures and provide a solid reminder as to why Tendulkar, at 37, won the 2010 ICC’s player of the year award - the highest individual honour in Cricket.

And as a player of Tendulkar’s calibre should, ‘the little master’ eventually went on to post his sixth double ton to leave India in a commanding position with just one day remaining.

Despite being nearly in his forties, Tendulkar is in career best form, amassing more than 1100 runs this calendar year, which currently includes six centures.

Only his remarkable 2002 season, where he amassed 1392 runs, betters Tendulkar’s efforts this year.

It seems like ‘the little master’ is getting better with age, and with the Cricket World Cup just around the corner, Tendulkar will be desperate to win the trophy which has eluded him throughout his illustrious career.

No doubt if Tendulkar is crowned a world champion next year, ‘the little master’ will have ticked all the boxes necessary to ensure his status as the greatest batsman ever.