Sachin Tendulkar retires from one-day cricket
Sachin Tendulkar, widely regarded as the world’s greatest living batsman, announces his retirement from one-day international cricket after winning 463 caps.
The cricketer, nicknamed the Little Master, said on the governing body’s official website: “I have decided to retire from the one-day format of the game.”
Tendulkar added: “I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup wining Indian team.
“The preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015 should begin early and in right earnest. I would like to wish the team all the very best for the future.
“I am eternally grateful to all my well wishers for their unconditional support and love over the years.”
The batsman, who made his one-day international (ODI) debut back in 1989, has made his decision before next month’s five-match one-day series at home to England.
Tendulkar has not played in a one-day international match since March, a victory over Pakistan in which he scored 52 runs.
The announcement comes the day after England secured an exhilerating victory over India in the second Twenty20 international, with Eoin Morgan snatching victory by hitting a six with the last ball of tthe match.
Masters.423 matches, 23 yrs, 18426 runs !!!! These numbers no body else wil be able to come close to.salute salute salute to sachin
— Harbhajan Singh (@harbhajan_singh) December 23, 2012
Tendulkar struggled during the recent Test series against England, passing 50 in only one innings and averaging just 18.66, and a decision over his future had been mooted.
He retires from ODIs having scored 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83, his highest score an unbeaten 200 against South Africa in 2010. He made 49 one-day centuries and 96 fifties.
His last one-day appearance came in March against Pakistan, the team against whom he made his debut almost exactly 23 years ago.
Tendulkar also took 154 one-day wickets, his best return five for 32 against Australia in 1998.
India spinner Harbhajan Singh was quick to pay tribute to the batting great.
He said on Twitter: ‘Sachin tendulkar a great batsman.great human being.a great friend.great man to look up 2.proud indian.Real son of india.I salute u nd love u.
‘Masters.423 matches, 23 yrs, 18426 runs !!!! These numbers no body else will be able to come close to.salute salute salute to sachin.’