Sachin Tendulkar's First Test Century — Old Trafford, August 1990

Tendulkar had debuted against Pakistan in November 1989 aged 16 and faced Wasim, Waqar and Imran. He had scored 68 at Old Trafford in the first innings of this Test but no half-century in his first eight matches had been converted.

England declared their second innings at 320/4, setting India 408 to win in roughly 88 overs. India were 109/4 when Tendulkar walked in. Azharuddin fell soon after for 11. India still trailed by hundreds with five wickets in hand and three sessions to play.

India needed 408 to win on the final day, an impossible chase, and were soon in the survival zone. When Mohammad Azharuddin fell with India 127 for 5, the prospect of a heavy defeat loomed. Tendulkar, batting at No. 6 in only his ninth Test, had already shown signs of class but had never converted his starts. On this final-day pitch against an English attack of Devon Malcolm, Angus Fraser, Chris Lewis and Eddie Hemmings, the teenager constructed an innings of remarkable maturity. He punched Malcolm through the covers, drove Hemmings inside-out, and refused to give a single chance. Manoj Prabhakar, a Test all-rounder used to opening, defended doggedly at the other end. Tendulkar reached his hundred with a controlled push for two and barely raised his bat — partly because he didn't want to celebrate while the match was still alive. India finished 343 for 6; Tendulkar 119 not out off 189 balls with 17 fours.

“I haven't seen anyone bat like that at his age. He looks like he's been playing Test cricket for years.”

“It is one of the most cherished knocks of my career. It saved the Test, and I learned that I belonged at this level.”

Champagne earmarked for the youngest English centurion was diverted to Tendulkar but he could not legally drink it under English law. He carried the bottle home unopened. The series ended 1-0 to England; Tendulkar averaged 47.66 across three Tests at age 17.