Born in Bombay, Tendulkar was just 16 when he became India's youngest Test debutant against Pakistan in 1989

Tendulkar poses with team-mates Kapil Dev and Mohammed Azharuddin before facing Pakistan

By the time he turned 20 he already had five Test centuries to his name - the first came against England at Old Trafford

Tendulkar's reputation grew as he displayed the full repertoire of shots - immaculate driving and confident pulls and hooks

Arms aloft after notching another century during the third Test between India and old rivals Australia in 1998

His outstanding batting has earned him the nicknames The Little Master, Master Blaster, Smashin' Sachin and The King

Tendulkar's been adored by home fans throughout his long career for India - often being mobbed while out in public

Despite many great performances - he's been criticised for not leading India to more victories on foreign soil

In 2004 Tendulkar became only the second Indian to pass the 9000 run mark in Test match cricket - against Australia

And a year later he joins an elite band of just five batsman to pass 10,000 Test runs

In his 125th Test match he hits a world record 35th Test century, passing compatriot Sunil Gavaskar's mark