Cricket
How many double centuries does Sachin Tendulkar have?
Sachin Tendulkar was the first batsman to score a double century in ODIs. He ended his international career with seven double centuries - six in Tests and one in ODIs.
Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar//Getty Images
Widely considered as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket, Sachin Tendulkar is the highest run-scorer in both Test and ODI cricket, amassing over 15,000 runs in Tests and more than 18,000 runs in ODIs.
Tendulkar brought an illustrious career to a close in November 2013 after his 200th Test match, having already retired from ODI cricket in 2012. Over his career, he played in 664 international matches, accumulating a total of 34,357 runs.
Tendulkar's records are numerous. He holds the record for the most centuries in Test cricket, with 51 to his name, and has scored six double centuries in the format, more than any other Indian cricketer. In ODIs, he is the second-highest century maker, with 49 centuries, and is also one of the few players to have scored a double century in the format.
Check out a list of double centuries scored by Sachin Tendulkar in his career.
Sachin Tendulkar Double Centuries in Test Cricket
| Score | Opposition | Venue | Year |
| 217 | New Zealand | Ahmedabad | 1999 |
| 201* | Zimbabwe | Nagpur | 2000 |
| 241* | Australia | Sydney | 2004 |
| 248* | Bangladesh | Dhaka | 2004 |
| 203 | Sri Lanka | Colombo | 2010 |
| 214 | Australia | Bangalore | 2010 |
After debuting in Test cricket in 1989, Sachin Tendulkar brought up his first century the following year against England at Old Trafford. Over his career, he scored centuries against all Test-playing nations. His highest Test score came in 2004, when he made an unbeaten 248 against Bangladesh in Dhaka. Tendulkar also scored six double centuries in Tests.
217 vs New Zealand in 1999
On October 29, 1999, Sachin Tendulkar scored his first-ever double century in international cricket - an innings of 217 against New Zealand at the Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Walking in at number four, Tendulkar found India in a precarious position after losing two quick wickets. However, he ensured India stability with a marathon innings that took the team to a first innings total of 583 declared. Tendulkar's 217 came off 344 balls, laced with 29 boundaries.
Following his departure, the Indian bowlers capitalized on the scoreboard pressure, skittling out New Zealand for 308 in their first innings. Forced to follow on, the visitors managed to salvage a draw, but the match will forever be remembered for Tendulkar’s marathon effort.
201 not out vs Zimbabwe in 2000
The very next year, in 2000, Tendulkar brought up his second double century, scoring an unbeaten 201 against Zimbabwe at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground in Nagpur. His unbeaten double century comprised 27 fours. Besides Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid (162) and Shiv Sunder Das (110) also significantly contributed to India's eventual total of 609 declared.
In response, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 382 despite an unbeaten century from Grant Flower. After being asked to follow-on, Zimbabwe, on the back of Andy Flower's marathon innings of 232, reached 503/6 when the game ended in a draw.
248 not out vs Bangladesh in 2004
In Dhaka against Bangladesh in 2004, Sachin Tendulkar brought up his highest Test score, remaining unbeaten on 248 off 379 balls. This innings also saw him equalling Sunil Gavaskar's record of 34 Test centuries. The match is also memorable for Tendulkar's 133-run partnership with Zaheer Khan for the last wicket. Zaheer played a crucial role, scoring 75, which was the highest score by a number 11 batsman at the time.
Bangladesh managed only 184 in their first innings, and India capitalized on the opportunity by piling up 526 runs. In response, Bangladesh could only muster 202 in their second innings, leading to an emphatic victory for India by an innings and 140 runs. Irfan Pathan was instrumental in the win, claiming ten wickets in the match.
241 not out vs Australia in 2004
When India toured Australia for the border Gavaskar trophy in 2004, Tendulkar had a slump in form, managing just 82 runs in his first five innings. However, in the fourth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, he staged a remarkable comeback, scoring an unbeaten 241 off 436 balls, including 33 boundaries. Tendulkar's innings was the cornerstone of a brilliant 353-run partnership with VVS Laxman, as India posted a mammoth total of 705/7 declared. Despite their efforts, the match ultimately ended in a draw.
203 vs Sri Lanka in 2010
In 2010, six years after his previous double century, Sachin Tendulkar recorded his sixth double ton, this time against Sri Lanka in Colombo. Tendulkar’s 203 came off 343 balls, featuring 23 boundaries and one six.
The Test match turned into a high-scoring affair, with Sri Lanka declaring at 642/4, thanks to a brilliant 219 from Kumar Sangakkara and 174 from Mahela Jayawardene. India responded strongly, led by 99 off 101 balls from Virender Sehwag and a century from Suresh Raina. Tendulkar's 203 anchored India's innings, leading them to a total of 707 all out. The match ultimately ended in a draw after Sri Lanka batted for another 45 overs.
214 vs Australia in 2010
In 2010, Sachin Tendulkar enjoyed a prolific year in Test cricket, amassing 1,562 runs and earning the top spot in the ICC Test rankings for batsmen. His second double century of the year came against Australia at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Tendulkar scored 214 off 363 balls, laced with 22 boundaries and two sixes, guiding India to a total of 495 in response to Australia's 478.
Later in the match, with India chasing a target on the final day, Tendulkar played a crucial role once again, scoring an unbeaten 53 off 77 deliveries. His knock ensured that India secured a memorable victory after Australia had crumbled to 223 in their third innings.
Sachin Tendulkar Celebrating 50th Test Century//Getty Images
Sachin Tendulkar double centuries in ODI cricket
| Score | Opposition | Venue | Year |
| 200* | South Africa | Gwalior | 2010 |
Tendulkar made his ODI debut in 1989 and went on to score centuries against 11 different opponents throughout his illustrious career. With 49 ODI centuries, he is India's second-highest century maker, just behind Virat Kohli.
On February 24, 2010, in Gwalior, during a match against South Africa, Tendulkar became the first cricketer in history to score a double century in an ODI match.
Sachin Tendulkar of India//Getty Images
At that time, the idea of a batsman scoring 200 runs in an ODI seemed almost unattainable. Before Tendulkar’s double century, the highest individual score in ODI cricket was Saeed Anwar’s 194, set in 1997.
Talking about Tendulkar's knock, he reached his century off 90 balls, and from there, his scoring rate only accelerated. The South African bowlers, including the likes of Dale Steyn, were rendered ineffective as Tendulkar peppered the boundary with 25 fours and 3 sixes. He reached the 200-run mark in the final over, taking just 147 balls to get there.
India eventually posted a formidable total of 401/3, and South Africa, despite a valiant effort, could only manage 248 in response. India won the match by 153 runs, but the day was all about Tendulkar’s record-breaking innings.
FAQs
In Test cricket, Sachin Tendulkar accumulated 51 centuries, the highest by any batsman in the format.
Sachin Tendulkar was the first batsman to score a double century in ODI cricket, achieving this feat on February 24, 2010, against South Africa in Gwalior.
Sachin Tendulkar retired from international cricket on November 16, 2013, concluding a distinguished career spanning 24 years.
Umaima Saeed is a professional sports writer whose articles have been featured in several leading websites. She writes long-form content on sports, particularly cricket. She has a penchant for telling human-interest stories. Umaima has contributed articles on cricket to more than a dozen publications, both in print and online.