Sachin’s career has been spectacular and since his Test debut in November 1989, at the age of 16 years and 223 days, he has rewritten all the record books:

He is the only player to have scored 100 international centuries and he holds the record for the most hundreds in both Test matches (51) and One Day Internationals (49).

In 200 appearances, he is the highest scorer in the history of Test cricket with 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78. His top score came in December 2004 when he made an unbeaten 248 against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

In One Day Internationals he has scored a staggering 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83 and a strike-rate of 86.23. He has a top score of 200 and is almost 5,000 runs ahead of the No 2 batsman in the rankings, Ricky Ponting.

His last match was the Second Test against the West Indies - his 200th Test match, played in his native Mumbai.

When Sachin scored his 100th international century, his fellow Laureus World Sports Academy Member Steve Waugh, who was the most successful captain in the history of Test cricket, with 41 wins in 57 Tests for Australia, said: “This is a historic moment for cricket and more than likely a record that will never be broken. In batting terms this ranks second only to Don Bradman’s Test match average of 99.94 which will always be the pinnacle of batsmanship.”

Former England captain and Laureus Ambassador Michael Vaughan said: “He has set a record that will live down the ages. Only the true greats in sport set an unbeatable benchmark. Whatever the future holds, he will be remembered for ever. A champion revered by those outside his own sport.”

Sachin has been a model sportsman throughout his career and a great ambassador for India and cricket. He has millions of adoring fans in India and around the world.

He has received countless honours, including unusually becoming the first non-aviator to be made a group captain in the Indian Air Force and an Honorary Member of the Order of Australia. In 2012, he was nominated to Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament. He became a Laureus World Sports Academy Member in 2015.