Sachin cricket enters 51st century

Trotting down the pitch, his fist punched the thin Highveld air, before both hands went up in unison. They stayed aloft even after his feet stopped running, as his head tilted towards the mighty, cloud-laden skies. A few private words were spoken, before he thumped his heart with his helmet and embraced his skipper.
A moment later, Sachin Tendulkar, producer of 50 Test centuries, met the crowds with his sparkling eyes, waving his willow around the Supersport Park in Centurion. Acknowledging the unconditional support he received from all corners of the ground, Tendulkar momentarily brought time to a standstill.
The South Africans cheered him, both the Whites and the Blacks, as did the Indians, their faces painted in saffron, white and green. For a moment, it could have been any stadium back home.
In the context of the match, Tendulkar’s century couldn’t have come at a better time. With the team having struggled right through the opening Test in South Africa, Tendulkar ensured that India live to see the final day, grinding it out against some furious pace bowling and venomous turn. 
His 226-ball 107 dragged India to 454/8 before thunderstorms put an early end to the penultimate day. With the magical landmark out of the way, Tendulkar will restart the game to produce a miracle — if India are to save this Test — still 30 runs short of making South Africa bat again.
“I would like to dedicate my 50th century to my father. It was his birthday yesterday,” Tendulkar said later. “I’m very pleased about it, but there is a match to be saved in South Africa. So let’s not get carried away. I’m glad it happened, but I do not know how to express my emotions at the moment,” he added, before throwing his hands up.