Betting on Tendulkar's 100th ton crosses Rs 2 bn mark

Gamblers have betted over Rs 2 billion over Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar becoming the first batsman to score an unprecedented 100 international centuries, punters have revealed.

The landmark has been tensely anticipated since the 38-year-old notched two centuries during the 50-over World Cup earlier this year to reach a total of 99.

“The money for Tendulkar scoring a century in Mumbai crossed the two billion rupees mark,” a punter told Gulf News.

Another punter said: “Betting reaches its peak when majority agrees on a poll. I’m sure those who betted on Tendulkar not reaching his century must be very rich today.”

During the Mumbai Test against the West Indies, a television poll resulted in 71 per cent predicting Tendulkar’s century.

Tendulkar was caught in the first innings at second slip for 94 -- six runs short of the landmark in the morning session on Friday.

Sachin's 'Nervous' 90 syndrome

The wait is not yet over, as Sachin disappointed cricket buffs around the globe by failing to record his 100th ton falling by 6 runs on Day 4 of the third test at Wankhede. This is not the first time, Sachin has got out after reaching 90.

Its quite common with cricketers as they become cautious and experience pressure while on 90, Sachin has the record for being dismissed maximum times after reaching 90 odd runs. Thats also a record and the man possess that too.

Sachin's overall tally of 28 dismissals in 90s includes both the formats of the game. In the limited-overs format, Sachin has been dismissed 18 times after reaching 90s while he has missed out on scoring a century 10 times in Test cricket.

After scoring the 99th century, when people were eagerly waiting for his 100th ton, a historic moment, Sachin has been dismissed twice after scoring 90 odd runs.

While this is not only for Sachin, Rahul Dravid too has faced similar problems as he has been dismissed 10 times in Test Cricket after scoring 90 odd runs while Steve Waugh too jointly holds the record for the same. With the recent dismissal of Sachin, against West Indies, he equals Rahul Dravid and Steve Waugh's record for highest number of dismissals after reaching 90 runs in test cricket.

Meanwhile, Rahul Dravid has recorded the same 14 times including ODIs while Jacques Kallis and Ricky Ponting both are on 13 while Former Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has recorded 12 dismissals.

With the number of dismissals after scoring 90 odd runs reaching 28, Sachin seems to have some problems while he is on the verge of scoring a century. Probably thats the nervous 90 phenomenon that he has been witnessing for quite sometime now, as he becomes restless, very cautious taking more time to score runs. Changes to defensive mode and takes singles and doubles than scoring boundaries or going for big hits.

Tendency to play safe, amounts to the pressure while his record suggests that as pressure builds, there are chances of throwing away the wicket or getting out for an untimely shot. These are bound to happen whether we take it as a nervous 90 syndrome or consider it as unlucky, the fact is being vulnerable after reaching a particular score.

Here's a list of Sachin's 90s.
90s in Tests

94 Vs West Indies, Mumbai (Nov 2011)
91 Vs England, The Oval (August 2011)
98 Vs Australia, Mohali (2010)
97 Vs South Africa, Mumbai (2000)
96 Vs Sri Lanka, Bangalore (1994)
94 Vs Pakistan, Mohali (2005)
92 Vs West Indies, Barbados (1997)
92 Vs England, Trent Bridge (1994)
91 Vs England, Trent Bridge (2007)
90 Vs England, Bangalore (2001)

90s in ODIs

90 Vs Australia, Mumbai (Feb 27, 1996)
91 Vs Australia, Brisbane (Mar 4, 2008)
91 Vs England, Sharjah (Dec 11, 1997)
99 Vs England, Brisbane (Aug 24, 2007)
94 Vs England, The Oval (Sep 5, 2007)
95 Vs Pakistan, Dhaka (Jan 14, 1998)
93 Vs Pakistan, Hobart (Jan 21, 2000)
98 Vs Pakistan, Centurion (Mar 1, 2003)
95 Vs Pakistan, Lahore (Feb 13, 2006)
99 Vs Pakistan, Mohlai (Nov 15, 2007)
97 Vs Pakistan, Gwalior (Nov 2007)
93 Vs South Africa, Nagpur (Mar 19, 2000)
99 Vs South Africa, Belfast (Jun 26, 2007)
93 Vs South Africa, Belfast (Jun 29, 2007)
93 Vs Srilanka, Dhaka ( Jun 1, 2000)
97 Vs Srilanka, Johannesburg (Mar 10, 2003)
93 vs Srilanka, Nagpur (Oct 25, 2005)
96 Vs Srilanka, Cuttack (Dec 21, 2009)

With 28 dismissals on reaching 90 odd runs, this happens to be the only weakness that can be spotted in the career spanning 22 years. Sachin with loads of experience, people wonder why the master is struggling to convert such valuable 90s to a fine century. Hope prevails as Sachin will get rid of this nervous 90 phenomenon soon and reach the milestone as early as possible.

Tendulkar is a pocket rocket, says Cummins

Describing Sachin Tendulkar a "pocket rocket", Australia's new pace sensation Pat Cummins is excited at the prospect of "versing" the "rockstar".

The 18-year-old, who made a sensational Test debut by taking seven wickets to set up a thrilling series-levelling win for Australia against South Africa earlier this month, is looking forward to bowl against Tendulkar in the Test series next month.


The 38-year-old Tendulkar made his Test debut three-and-a-half years before Cummins was even born.

"He's one of the greats of all time, I've grown up watching him," Cummins told 'The Sydney Morning Herald'.

"For someone who is a bit of a pocket rocket, he's not too tall, even against the fastest bowlers he seems to stand up and lift another gear.

"To get a game, even here in Australia, would be unbelievable. To be versing the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid - it's going to be a massive challenge. He's someone hopefully all the bowlers don't get too overawed versing him and I guess you've got to still imagine him like any other batsmen," he added.

India and Australia will square off in a much-anticipated Test series starting December 26. Cummins said he would not "waste time" chalking out a bowling strategy for Tendulkar as the Indian is "too good everywhere".

"It's more imagining the moment of playing people like him, it'd be a massive thrill," Cummins said.

"Sachin Tendulkar has got a massive following in India and is a rockstar over there. Someone like him, all the fame, it'd be on a whole new different level versing him," he added.

Sachin Tendulkar fever returns to Wankhede Stadium

Sachin Tendulkar returns to his home venue for the final Test against the West Indies starting on Tuesday amid the familiar pressure of expectation of hitting another century.

A century at the Wankhede Stadium this time around would be extra special because it would be his 100th international ton, which Tendulkar has been chasing since the World Cup earlier this year.

Tendulkar moved from 97 to 99 centuries during the World Cup in February and March but has been unable to get another three-figure mark since, with a score of 91 against England in the Oval Test in the summer coming the closest.

But Tendulkar, who is the highest run-scorer and century-maker in both Tests and one-dayers, has dismissed the landmark as "just another number."

"When I got my 90th international century, nobody said anything," Tendulkar was quoted as saying by a newspaper on Saturday. "Even before my 99th century, nobody said anything. So why now? I don't understand."

Tendulkar, who completed 22 years in international cricket last week, said he knew people were getting impatient.

"I know everyone is talking and thinking about my 100th century. I want to be relaxed and let cricket decide its own course. I am not rushing into anything, just concentrating on my normal game," he said.

But the Mumbai Cricket Association has decided to make it a special occasion by announcing it will present Tendulkar with 100 gold coins if he gets to the unprecedented landmark this week.

The state association has also lowered the price of tickets, which start at $1 per day, in a bid to get spectators to the ground after dwindling attendances in recent games across India.

Tendulkar potential landmark is a popular talking point in India and players from all sides are regularly asked for comment.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy suggested on Monday that he would rather watch Tendulkar get the ton after this series.

"Much as I would like him to get a century, I would like to see him do it against some other team on television," he said. "I will be the first to jump up in joy when he gets there if it is not against us."

Senior India batsman VVS Laxman said the way Tendulkar prepares for every game sets him apart.

"His preparation is special in each and every match," Laxman said Monday. "That has been the hallmark of Sachin and why he has done well for so many years."

Laxman said Tendulkar's approach always remains the same.

"He takes every practice session seriously, irrespective of whether he is reaching a milestone or not, to make sure he is ready, mentally and physically. He has survived for so long and has been a true match winner for the country," he said.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni declined to speculate and said plans for the celebration of Tendulkar's 100th century will firm up only after Tendulkar reaches the landmark.

"Let him get to the century and then we will decide how to celebrate it," Dhoni said at the beginning of the series against West Indies.

Tendulkar's top score in the series has been a knock of 76 in the first Test in New Delhi, which India won by five wickets.

Sachin Tendulkar will get 100 gold coins if he scores 100th century in Mumbai

Sachin Tendulkar will be honoured with 100 gold coins, if he gets a 100th century at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai.

“MCA President Vilasrao Deshmukh has decided that the association should give Tendulkar a 100 gold coins if he completed the 100th international century at his home ground,” Nitin Dalal, Joint Secretary of MCA Mumbai Cricket Association, said on Saturday.

For the currency-inclined, the net worth of 100 gold coins is estimated to be around Rs 28 lakh.

The Cricket Association of Bengal had promised to give the champion batsman 100 gold coins if he achieved the unprecedented feat in the second Test at the Eden Gardens, which concluded on November 17, Dalal pointed out.

However, Tendulkar could not reach the coveted landmark in Kolkata and has the chance to achieve it in his home town here in Mumbai.

His last international hundred was made during the World Cup held between February and April this year, against South Africa at Nagpur on March 12.

The third and final Test match between India and West Indies will be commencing on November 22 at the Wankhede stadium. India has an unbeatable 2-0 lead against West Indies.

Batting genius Sachin Tendulkar has already promised to donate the bat with which he scores his 100th international century to the proposed cricket museum at the Eden Gardens, a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) official claimed on Thursday.

“Sachin has told us that he would donate the bat with which he scores his 100th international hundred to the cricket museum,” CAB joint secretary Biswarup Dey told media persons here.

Tendulkar, who missed out on the milestone by 26, runs in the second innings of the opening Test in Delhi said “I am not thinking about that. I feel it (100 hundreds) is just a number. I am thinking about playing good cricket. I am enjoying my game.”