Sachin Tendulkar became the first batsman in history to score a double century in ODI cricket, making 200 not out off 147 balls against South Africa — a record that many thought was statistically impossible.
In the 35 years of ODI cricket before 2010, the highest individual score was Charles Coventry's 194 not out for Zimbabwe (2009) — and before that, Saeed Anwar's 194 (1997) had stood for over a decade. A 200 in 50 overs was considered a theoretical impossibility by most analysts.
India batted first. Tendulkar opened alongside Virender Sehwag. Sehwag fell early, but Tendulkar found his rhythm immediately. He accelerated through the middle overs, punishing Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Charl Langeveldt with equal ferocity. With 10 overs remaining, he needed 68 from 60 — well within reach.
By the 40th over, Tendulkar had reached 150. By the 46th, he had 175. The crowd at Gwalior — a small stadium by Indian standards — began to understand they were watching history. At 194, Tendulkar needed 6 off 5 to become the first man to reach 200.
He got there off the 147th ball — a pull shot for four bringing up 198, then a single, then the 200th run — a flick past mid-on. He raised his bat and helmet, pointing to the sky. His batting partner MS Dhoni embraced him.
India made 401/3. South Africa were bowled out for 248. The match wasn't close. Nobody cared about the margin. Two months later, Martin Guptill (New Zealand) made 237 not out — leapfrogging the record Tendulkar had just set. But Tendulkar was the first. The barrier belonged to him.
Tendulkar reaching 194 — the previous ODI record
The 200th run — a flick past mid-on, first double century in ODI history
India 401/3 — the first time a team had scored 400+ in an ODI at home
February 24, 2010
Tendulkar opens batting, Sehwag departs early
Over 40
Tendulkar reaches 150, acceleration begins
Over 46
Tendulkar at 194 — needs 6 off 5 to make 200
Ball 147
Tendulkar flicks for single — 200 reached, first ever in ODI cricket
The record has since been broken by Rohit Sharma (264), Martin Guptill (237), and others. But Tendulkar's 200 opened the conversation — after 2010, batsmen started believing 200 was achievable, and their approach to big ODI innings changed.
One of the most remarkable individual feats in sport — breaking a barrier that had stood for 35 years and that many considered impossible within the 50-over format. The fact that the record has since been broken does not diminish who broke it first.
Tendulkar's 200 not out is one of cricket's definitional first occurrences — like Lara's 375, or the first tied Test. It moved the game's boundaries of what was considered possible.
Australia vs West Indies
1960-12-14
The first tied Test in 86 years of cricket history — Australia and West Indies finished level on 737 runs each after five days of breathless cricket in Brisbane, producing one of the most dramatic finishes the game has ever seen.
India vs Australia
1986-09-22
Twenty-six years after Brisbane, cricket produced only its second tied Test — Dean Jones's heroic 210 through crippling heat and Dean Jones's fever, Ravi Shastri's unbeaten 48 and India needing 2 off the last over, only for Maninder Singh to be out lbw off the final ball.
Australia vs South Africa
1999-06-17
Lance Klusener smashed Australia to the brink of elimination, then ran out Allan Donald off the penultimate ball to tie the match — but Australia advanced to the final on superior run rate, ending South Africa's greatest World Cup campaign in devastating fashion.