The 24-year- glittering career of India’s cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar will come to an end as the master has decided to retire from international cricket after playing his 200th test match in the home series against West Indies next month.

New Delhi, Oct 10/Nationalturk  – India’s cricket ‘god’ Sachin Tendulkar will retire from international cricket after playing his 200th test match in the home series against West Indies next month.

“All my life, I have had a dream of playing cricket for India. I have been living this dream every day for the last 24 years. It’s hard for me to imagine a life without playing cricket because it’s all I have ever done since I was 11 years old. It’s been a huge honour to have represented my country and played all over the world. I look forward to playing my 200th Test match on home soil, as I call it a day,” 40-year-old Sachin Tendulkar said in a statement issued here today.

He said he is looking forward to playing his 200th Test match on home soil and retire. “I thank Indian cricket board (BCCI) for everything over the years and for permitting me to move on when my heart feels it’s time! I thank my family for their patience and understanding. Most of all, I thank my fans and well-wishers who through their prayers and wishes have given me the strength to go out and perform at my best”.

Tendulkar’s 200^th test match likely in Mumbai, Kolkatta

Tendulkar’s 200th Test match is likely to be played at his home ground between West Indies and India in Mumbai from November 14. “The Eden Gardens in Kolkata is also a contender for hosting that historic match. Indian cricket board has not yet announced the venues for the two Tests against the West Indies,” sources said.

Most prolific run-maker

Tendulkar, who is being considered as ‘god’ of cricket, has been the most prolific run-maker of all time. In his 198 Test matches, he has scored 15,837 runs at an average of 53.86. From his 463 ODI matches, he has scored 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83.

The biggest compliment to his batting came from Sir Don Bradman in 1999 when he said that Tendulkar’s style of playing resembled his style.

Tendulkar is the only batsman to score 100 international centuries – 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs.

He made his debut on November 15, 1989 against Pakistan. Earlier, before making his international debut, he had shared an unbeaten 664-run stand with his school mate Vinod Kambli in the Lord Harris Shield Inter-School Game in 1988.

Tendulkar has also the distinction of being the first batsman in the world to score a double ton in ODIs, a feat he achieved in Gwalior against South Africa in February 2010.

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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk India News