Record-breaking India batsman Sachin Tendulkar has retired from one-day international cricket.
In a statement, the 39-year-old said: “I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup-winning Indian team.”
The ‘Little Master’ made his one-day debut in 1989 and collected 463 caps.
He excelled in the 50-over format and became the world’s top-run scorer with 18,426 at an average of 44.83, including a record 49 centuries.
His last one-day international cricket game was win against Pakistan in Asia Cup on 18 March, in which he scored a half-century.
His form has dipped in recent years, however, and his average in one-day cricket in 2012 fell to 31.5, a figure that was boosted by a knock of 114 in his penultimate innings against lesser lights Bangladesh which was his 100th on the international stage.
Tendulkar added: “The preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015 should begin early and in right earnest. I would like to wish the team all the very best for the future.
“I am eternally grateful to all my well-wishers for their unconditional support and love over the years.”
Tendulkar, who made himself unavailable for India’s Twenty20 matches after playing just one game in 2006, has faced calls to retire from all international competition from former national captain Sourav Ganguly after several poor performances with the bat in the recent Test series against England.
Tendulkar’s 23-year ODI career, which began with ducks in his first two appearances, included him becoming the first batsman to score a double-century in that form of the game when he played South Africa two years ago, as well as being the highest run-getter in the 2003 World Cup.
Tendulkar excelled in India’s successful 2011 World Cup campaign, scoring two centuries on his way to an average of 48.2 in the tournament which concluded with victory in the final in his hometown of Mumbai against Sri Lanka.
India spinner Harbhajan Singh saluted his colleague on Twitter: “Sachin Tendulkar, a great batsman. Great human being. A great friend. Great man to look up to. Proud Indian. Real son of India. I salute you and love you.”
TENDULKAR FACT FILE
1973 – Born in Mumbai on 24 April
1989 – Makes Test debut for India against Pakistan
1990 – Scores first Test century, against England
1998 – Scores first double century for Mumbai against Australia
2005 – Passes Sunil Gavaskar’s record of highest number of Test centuries
2008 – Becomes the highest run-scorer in Test cricket, passing West Indies’ Brian Lara’s mark of 11,953
2010 – Becomes the most capped player in Test history
2011 – Hits his 99th international century in an ODI against South Africa in March
2012 – Scores his 100th international century in ODI v Bangladesh
Source:The Daily Star