You’ve seen him master Tests and ODIs, but do you remember the one-time Tendulkar ruled T20? Let’s rewind to that unforgettable IPL night in 2011
Sachin Tendulkar, a name that resonates with cricketing glory, is known for amassing records and delivering breathtaking innings that etch themselves in the memories of fans. Yet, in the electrifying arena of T20 cricket—a format dominated by fearless power-hitters and daring innovations—Tendulkar, revered as the Master Blaster, achieved just one IPL century throughout his illustrious career.
Credit: ESPNcricinfo
That memorable evening on April 15, 2011, at the iconic Wankhede Stadium, saw the crowd enthralled as they bore witness to a masterpiece—the magical moment when Tendulkar scored his first and only T20 hundred. However, in a bittersweet twist of fate, that remarkable achievement was tinged with sorrow as the Mumbai Indians fell short against the spirited Kochi Tuskers Kerala, highlighting the unpredictable beauty of the game.
Mumbai Indians, led by Tendulkar, entered the game with confidence. Batting first, they built their innings cautiously before Tendulkar unleashed his range in the latter half. The conditions were tricky, and early on, there were close calls—he nearly got run out for zero, survived two lbw appeals, and edged one past the keeper. But once settled, he dictated the game.
Credit: ESPNcricinfo
He reached his fifty in 43 balls, showcasing a mix of classic drives and well-timed flicks. Then came the acceleration. In the 16th over, he dismantled the bowling attack, deploying delicate paddles and brute-force slogs. One moment, he caressed the ball past fine leg; the next, he launched it into the stands.
His innings ended on a perfect note—a push to mid-off brought up his hundred off 66 balls. Wankhede erupted, but Tendulkar’s reaction was restrained. He knew the job wasn’t done.
Credit: ESPNcricinfo
Tendulkar’s ton had several statistical highlights:
Only the fifth IPL century by an Indian batter—Until then, only 4 IPL centuries were recorded by Indian players. Tendulkar became the fifth player to achieve this milestone.
Only T20 century of his career – Across all formats, this remained his only triple-digit score in T20 cricket.
12 fours, 3 sixes – A reminder that finesse could be just as effective as brute power in T20s.
Strike rate of 151.51 – Proving that even at 37, he could keep up with the modern demands of the game.
Credit: ESPNcricinfo
Mumbai’s 182/2 seemed like a winning total for most of the night. Tendulkar had led the team, with only Ambati Rayudu providing solid support (53 off 33). But Kochi had different plans.
Brendon McCullum (81 off 60) and Mahela Jayawardene (56 off 36) turned the match around, punishing Mumbai’s bowlers right from the start. The dew made gripping the ball challenging, and even Lasith Malinga, Mumbai’s primary weapon, faced difficulties.
Credit: ESPNcricinfo
With McCullum dismissed in the 17th over, Mumbai saw a glimmer of hope, but Ravindra Jadeja (25) and Brad Hodge (11) completed the game in style with an over to spare.
Despite Tendulkar’s brilliance, the night belonged to Kochi. Mumbai suffered their first loss of the season, and the celebrations were subdued. It was a cruel irony—Tendulkar finally reached the IPL century mark, yet it came in a losing cause.
Credit: ESPNcricinfo
Even years later, this knock remains special. It was a rare glimpse of Tendulkar adapting to a format that was not his natural habitat, proving that class could thrive even in the most explosive version of the game.
