Sachin Tendulkar. This name instantly signifies cricket records, milestones and an impeccable revolution in the sport. And on the 24th of April 2023, he smashes a half-century, which in his own words, “is the slowest but the most interesting one”.

In hindsight, every knock was a chapter in his enormous folklore. Precision to hit shots, agility to identify run reservoirs and a puzzle for bowlers for over 24 years. Sachin united an entire nation of cricket enthusiasts, single-handedly elevating India from a country that was climbing the steps to powerhouse status to being a side that constantly ranks in the top three in international cricket.

So we have dug through the archives to highlight a few select stats the Master Blaster has in the 50s ..

50

- His average (50.31) while batting at number two for India in ODIs - 13,685 runs. It’s his highest among all batting positions.

51

- The number of Test hundreds he scored

- The average (51.35) as India’s Test captain - 2,054 runs

- The number of innings taken to get from 51 to 60 international centuries

52

- The number of ODI fifties he scored in the second innings - the most by any player

- The number of runs he scored in his last ODI innings against Pakistan in 2012

53

- His Test average (53.78), where he amassed 15,921 Test runs in 200 matches

54

- His overseas Test average (54.74): 8,705 runs from 176 Test innings - the highest by any Indian to have scored over 5000 runs away from home

- His average (54.44) in tournament finals, scoring 2111 runs in 40 games - again, the highest in the world

55

- 55.0, his Test average against Australia. He even called his 114 against the Aussies at Sydney in 1991/92 his best knock ever.

56

- His average (56.95) in ICC ODI World Cups - 2278 runs in 45 matches. Easily the most by anyone, ever

57

- The number of ODI sixes he hit when India batted first

58

- His average (58.74) while scoring 8,577 runs in Tests when India won the toss!

59

- The number of ODI fifties scored in Asia - his highest in a particular continent

Happy Birthday, Sachin Tendulkar! You’ve given us a million reasons to be happy, and may the 50s in life be just as fruitful as they were on the field.