February 24 holds a special place in the history of world cricket. On this day in 2010, Sachin Tendulkar achieved something no batter had ever done before in One Day Internationals. He became the first player in ODI cricket to score 200 runs in a single innings, rewriting record books and redefining what was considered possible in the format.

The historic moment unfolded at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium, where India faced South Africa national cricket team. What followed was not just a masterclass in batting, but a landmark event that changed the way ODI cricket was played and perceived.

A Run-Scoring Festival in Gwalior

From the moment Tendulkar walked out to bat, it was clear he was in complete control. The pitch was good for batting, but the precision, timing, and composure he displayed elevated the innings to another level. Boundaries flowed effortlessly as the South African bowlers struggled to find answers.

What made the knock special was not reckless hitting, but intelligent stroke play. Tendulkar picked gaps with ease, rotated the strike calmly, and punished loose deliveries without taking unnecessary risks. For the opposition, the innings quickly turned into a nightmare, as every bowling change failed to slow the scoring.

A Double Century in Just 147 Balls

Despite the magnitude of the achievement, the milestone was reached with remarkable efficiency. Tendulkar brought up his 200 off just 147 deliveries. By the 45th over, he was already on 191 runs. Due to limited strike in the final overs, he faced only nine of the last 30 balls, yet still reached the landmark comfortably.

The innings was a perfect blend of experience and execution, proving that endurance, timing, and game awareness can overpower even the best bowling attacks.

A 13-Year-Old Record Falls

Before this iconic knock, the highest individual score in ODI cricket was 194. That record belonged to Saeed Anwar, who had set it in 1997. More than a decade later, Charles Coventry had equalled the mark in 2009.

Tendulkar’s double century finally broke that long-standing barrier, ending a 13-year wait and pushing the limits of individual scoring in ODIs.

India Crosses the 400-Run Mark Again

Powered by Tendulkar’s unbeaten 200, India posted a massive total of over 400 runs. Interestingly, this was the second time in just three months that India had crossed the 400-run mark in ODIs, highlighting the team’s growing dominance in limited-overs cricket.

Such a towering total placed immense pressure on the South African side even before they began their chase.

A Dominant Indian Victory

Chasing over 400 runs proved too difficult for South Africa. India’s bowlers capitalised on the scoreboard pressure and dismantled the opposition batting lineup. The match ended with India registering a commanding 153-run victory.

While it was a complete team effort, Tendulkar’s historic innings formed the backbone of the win. The cricketing world celebrated the moment, with fans, former players, and experts hailing the knock as one of the greatest ODI innings ever played.

Who Eventually Surpassed the Record?

Though monumental, Tendulkar’s record did not remain untouched forever. Less than two years later, Virender Sehwag raised the bar further by scoring 219 runs in an ODI, surpassing the double-century mark set by Tendulkar.

The Era of Double Centuries Begins

Tendulkar’s achievement opened the floodgates. Over the next eight years, six more double centuries were recorded in ODI cricket. Remarkably, half of them came from Rohit Sharma, who went on to become the highest individual scorer in ODIs.

That day in 2010 proved one thing beyond doubt—scoring 200 in ODIs was no longer impossible. It was the beginning of a new era.