Sachin, the greatest batsman ever!

Sachin Tendulkar became the first batsman to score a double century in One-Day Internationals, the first ever double century in the history of ODI cricket lead India to a crushing 153-run victory over South Africa

The master batsman, who holds the record for most runs and centuries in Test (13,447) and one-day (17,398) cricket, was at his vintage best as he blazed his way to 200 from a mere 147 deliveries, inclusive of 25 boundaries and three sixes. In carrying his bat through the innings he propelled India to a mammoth 401 for three in 50 overs.

The 37-year-old batsman underlined his reputation as the greatest player in the history of cricket by breaching the 200-run mark, the first instance since the 50-over format was introduced in 1971.

His previous best was an unbeaten 186 against New Zealand , at Hyderabad, in 1999.

Tendulkar, who registered his 46th ODI century in the process, got to 200 with a single off Charl Langeveldt in the final over of the game, having earlier broken the World record for the highest individual innings, of 194, jointly held by Pakistan's Saeed Anwar and Zimbabwe's Charles Coventry. Anwar rattled up that total against India in May 1997 while Coventry hit 194 not out against Bangladesh last year.

The cricket fraternity on Wednesday hailed Sachin Tendulkar on becoming the first batsman in the history of one-day cricket to smash a double century, describing the feat as an incredible achievement.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar led the tributes, saying Tendulkar has established himself as the greatest batsman ever.

"There is just no question about that. He is the greatest batsman the game has ever seen," declared Gavaskar.

"See his record! Who else has got 90-plus centuries, 17000-plus runs in ODIs and 13000-plus runs in Test cricket? He is comfortably the greatest batsman ever," added Gavaskar.

Former Test player Bapu Nadkarni found it difficult to find words to describe the feats of Tendulkar and said, "Whatever record is seen to be impossible to achieve, he makes it possible. That's all I can say.

"It seems as he's getting older, he is becoming more and more mature. No wonder Sir Donald Bradman saw himself in the way Sachin bats," Nadkarni said.

The greatest accumulator of runs in the history of cricket, Tendulkar possesses nearly all major batting records even though he insisted he never chased milestones.

Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar said records are meant to be broken and he would be glad to see an Indian eclipsing his epic unbeaten 200. "No record is unbreakable. Records are made to be broken and I would like to see an Indian breaking this record," Tendulkar said, dedicating the knock to all his fans.