There are very rare occasions when the same player has scored two centuries on the same date of two different years. These rare occasions are mainly due to rare players. Sachin Tendulkar is one of those rare players who scored his 37th and 49th ODI century on the same day (March 16) in 2004 and 2012 respectively.
During the second ODI of India’s tour of Pakistan in 2004 at Rawalpindi, Tendulkar scored his 37th ODI century, 141 (135), with the help of 17 fours and a six. After losing the first ODI by 5 runs at Karachi, Inzamam-ul-Haq, the then Pakistani captain had won the toss and chose to bat.
On the back of half-centuries from their openers, Yasir Hameed (86) and Shahid Afridi (80), Pakistan scored 329-6 in 50 overs. With bowling figures of 10-0-44-3, Ashish Nehra was the pick of the Indian bowlers.
Tendulkar, who opened the batting with Virender Sehwag, was at his utmost best. He saw wickets falling at the other end but it didn’t affect him at all. He was unhindered in his approach. A little assistance from the other end would have turned the match on India’s side. Eventually, India ended up losing the match. But Tendulkar’s innings was as special as it could have ever got.
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Eight years later, during the fourth match of the Asia Cup between Bangladesh and India at Dhaka, Tendulkar scored his 49th ODI century, his 100th international hundred, 114 (147), with the help of 12 fours and a six. He was and still is the one and the only cricketer to achieve this feat. Apparently, it was also his last international hundred as well.
Mushfiqur Rahim, the then Bangladeshi captain, had put India in to bat. Gautam Gambhir (11) and Tendulkar opened the batting for India. Tendulkar shared a 148-run stand for the second wicket with Virat Kohli (66) and followed it up with an 86-run partnership with Suresh Raina (51).
It was a time when millions were talking about Tendulkar’s 100th century for over a year. His fans were relieved to a great extent when he raised his bat against Bangladesh at Dhaka.
Having set Bangladesh a target of 290 runs, India ended up losing the match by 5 wickets. But this match will always be remembered for Tendulkar’s historical hundred.
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