Sachin should be awarded by BHARAT RATAN

After blasting innings of 200 not out in Gwalior, Sachin Tendulkar had a pleased look, quite like a student who maxed an exam. Inside the dressing room, he lay on the massage table, physically drained but emotionally charged, and as the masseur gave him a vigorous rub down, Sachin scrolled through his mobile to scan the congratulatory messages.

Astonishing achievements are not new to Sachin, and in his long innings there is not a record he hasn't shattered. But even by his special standards, the one at Gwalior was extraordinary. Batsmen are supposed to treat the ball according to its merit but Sachin rejected this age-old rule. Pre-determined shots are a strict no-no, yet Sachin dispatched the ball as if he had made up his mind before the bowler started his run up.

This was an unforgettable effort, brutally aggressive and subtly inventive at the same time. The feat will be surpassed but it is unlikely that the effort will be constructed with such style and supreme artistry.

One of Sachin's qualities is that he remains serenely composed and deeply grounded. See him after an innings and it is difficult to make out whether he's made a hundred or zero. During the long journey, Sachin has learnt that cricket is the king, way above the superstars who perform and move on.

Sachin Tendulkar break world record of double century

Sachin Tendulkar celebrates scoring a world record breaking double century (200 runs) Tendulkar was born on April 24, 1973 in Mumbai and made his test debut against Pakistan as a curly-haired 16-year-old, becoming the youngest Indian test player. A year later, he hit his maiden test hundred in England.

Sachin Tendulkar became the first batsman to score 200 runs in one-day internationals on Wednesday in the second ODI against South Africa in Gwalior, India.

The 36-year-old former India captain earlier in the day broke the world record for the highest individual score of 194 by Pakistan's Saeed Anwar and Zimbabwe's Charles Coventry on his way to 200 not out off 147 balls with 25 fours and three sixes.

Here are six facts about one of the all-time greatest batsmen and the face of Indian cricket for over two decades.

In Image: Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar (R) is congratulated by captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni after scoring a world record breaking double century (200 runs) during the second One Day International (ODI) cricket match at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium in Gwalior on February 24, 2010.

History of first class cricket by Yusuf Pathan

Yusuf's unbeaten 210, his maiden first class double century, steered West Zone to a sensational win as they scored 541/7 to lift the Duleep Trophy for the 16th time on an eventful final day's play and creat a world record in first class cricket

The win marked the highest successful run chase in the history of first class cricket although the total, 541 for seven, is not the highest fourth-innings total.

Teams have scored more runs in their fourth innings in the past but they never resulted in a victory.

England had scored 654/5 while chasing 696 to win against South Africa in Durban way back in 1938-39. The match was drawn after 10 days.

Maharashtra had scored 604 in their second innings while chasing an impossible 959 to win against the then Bombay in 1948-49 in Poona, now Pune.

Everything depended on Yusuf when West resumed at 379/6 and he did not disappoint his team and fans as he stood their like a rock till the job was done.

Resuming at the individual score of 84 along with other overnight partner Pinal Shah, Yusuf cashed in on the three dropped chance and made South Zone bowlers pay heavily.