'Cricket's god' Sachin Tendulkar in line for another honour

Sachin Tendulkar is pitted against legendary Australian spinner Shane Warne and South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis as they vie for the ESPNcricinfo's 'Cricketer of the Generation' award.

The award, to be presented in Mumbai on Friday, will honour the most outstanding cricketer between 1993 and 2013.

Brian Lara, who’s legend is often compared to the greatness of Tendulkar, missed out on a place in the top three.

While Tendulkar is the most successful batsman of his generation, having set innumerable records in both Tests and ODIs, no other bowler mesmerised world cricket the way Warne did, recording 700 Test wickets against his name.

Kallis enthralled cricket fans with his exploits for close to two decades and often drew comparison with unarguably the greatest all-rounder, Gary Sobers.

But the award could be Tendulkar’s, as no batsman has come close to doing what the Master Blaster achieved in his 24-year-long career.

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The most famous Mumbaikar rewrote some of the most coveted batting records, including those for most Test runs and Test hundreds, and most ODI runs and ODI hundreds.

He is the only cricketer to score hundred international centuries.

Recently honoured with the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian accolade, Tendulkar will soon be seen on silver coins with his face, name and signature embossed on them.

A Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament, he was also honoured by the Indian Department of Posts with a commemorative stamp on his farewell Test.

He was also conferred the honorary rank of Group Captain by the Indian Air Force and made Honorary Member of the Order of Australia in 2012.

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The man with many other national and international honours to his name looks set to claim ESPNCricinfo’s big prize.

He enchanted his fans with his big hitting in the decade of 1993-2003, notching centuries after centuries in Tests and ODI’s.

Tendulkar was highest scorer in the 1996 World Cup held in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

But what will be remembered as his best One-day knock is the 143 against Australia in Sharjah.

Tendulkar received the Arjuna award in 1994, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna in 1997, India's highest sporting honour, and the Padma Shri in 1999. 

In 2002, Wisden Cricketers' Almanack ranked him the second greatest Test batsman of all-time, behind Don Bradman, and the second greatest ODI batsman. Vivian Richards beat him to the that title.

Under Sourav Ganguly’s captaincy he became a fiercer batsman and despite a back injury and other niggles continued to keep India’s flag flying high.

So, it won't be a surprise if the batting legend adds another feather to his already full hat.