Sportskeeda's All-Time Test XI: From the realms of immortality

#4 – Sachin Tendulkar (India)

Tendulkar’s biggest asset was his balance, both on and off the field

Often bearing the expectations of a billion-plus population on his able shoulders, Sachin Tendulkar debuted at the tender age of 16 and grew in stature with every year. When he was done, there remained only a few batting records that did not belong to him. A triumph of longevity, the diminutive batsman followed the textbook approach unwaveringly and adopted a balanced stance at the crease.

An average of more than 40 in every Test-playing country showed his versatility across a variety of surfaces. When detractors were hounding him for a lackluster fourth-innings resume, Tendulkar responded with a scintillating 103* against England in Chennai during 2008 to set up a famous victory in the aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai attacks. A man for all seasons and conditions, he ended up as the game’s leading run-scorer.

Did You Know – During his childhood, Sachin once fell off a tree and his brother Ajit sent him packing to a cricket coaching class as punishment.

Statistics: 15921 runs from 200 matches at an average of 53.78 with 51 centuries and 68 fifties.