On This Day in 1990: 17-Year-Old Sachin Tendulkar Scores Maiden International Century Against England at Old Trafford
Relive the historic moment on August 14, 1990, when a 17-year-old Sachin Tendulkar scored his maiden Test century, an unbeaten 119 runs from 189 deliveries against England at Old Trafford. This legendary innings, achieved with remarkable maturity and composure, famously saved the match for India, securing a hard-fought draw.
Thirty-six years ago today, on August 14, 1990, the cricketing world witnessed the dawn of an era as a then 17-year-old Sachin Tendulkar registered his first-ever international century. Playing against England in the second Test of the series at Old Trafford in Manchester, the 'Little Master' displayed remarkable maturity and skill to score an unbeaten 119, helping India secure a memorable draw. Cricket at Asian Games 2026: Venue, Teams and All You Need to Know.
Sachin Tendulkar Hits Maiden Test Century
The first of 100 international centuries 💯#OTD in 1990, @sachin_rt announced his arrival with a flawless 1️⃣1️⃣9️⃣* against England in Manchester, batting out the final day to pull off a crucial match-saving draw 👏👏#TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/Cwp1tDINd8
— BCCI (@BCCI) August 14, 2026
The Setting: England vs India, Old Trafford, 1990
The match, which ran from August 9-14, 1990, was the second Test of India's tour of England. The hosts, led by Graham Gooch, had posted a formidable first innings total of 519, propelled by centuries from Gooch, Michael Atherton, and Robin Smith. India responded with 432, with skipper Mohammad Azharuddin leading the charge with a brilliant 179 and Tendulkar contributing a composed 68. England then declared their second innings at 320/4d, setting India a daunting target to chase or, more realistically, bat out for a draw.
Sachin Tendulkar's Heroic Stand
Facing a collapsing top order in the second innings, a young Sachin Tendulkar walked to the crease at number six. After Dilip Vengsarkar's dismissal, and later Mohammad Azharuddin's departure, the responsibility of saving the Test fell largely on his young shoulders. Displaying immense patience and resilience beyond his years, Tendulkar batted for 225 minutes, crafting an exquisite unbeaten 119 runs from 189 deliveries. His innings was studded with 17 boundaries. Alongside Manoj Prabhakar, who also scored an unbeaten 67, Tendulkar guided India to 343/6 by the close of play on the final day, ensuring a hard-fought draw. Vinay Kumar Appointed Karnataka Head Coach for 2026-27 Domestic Season.
A Star is Born
This innings was not just a personal milestone but a significant moment in cricket history. At 17 years and 112 days old, Sachin Tendulkar became the third-youngest player to score a Test century at that time. It was the first of his unprecedented 100 international centuries across Tests and One Day Internationals, foreshadowing a career that would redefine batting records and establish him as one of the greatest cricketers of all time. The knock at Old Trafford served as a powerful declaration of intent from a player who would go on to inspire millions and earn the moniker 'God of Cricket'.
This memorable century remains a testament to Tendulkar's early genius and his ability to perform under immense pressure, setting the stage for a legendary career that would span over two decades.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 14, 2026 11:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
