Sachin Tendulkar's career in pictures

Much was expected of 16-year-old debutant Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar ahead of India's 1989 series with Pakistan. He had a huge reputation after reducing one bowling attack to tears on his way to 326 not out while still a schoolboy

Tendulkar is a big fan of tennis and motorsport. He regularly attends Wimbledon and lists John McEnroe as one of his sporting heroes, and more recently he was a VIP guest at the inaugural Indian Grand Prix in 2011

Tendulkar scored his maiden Test century at the age of 17 against England at Old Trafford in 1990, and three years later he smashed 165 against them - his first ton on home soil - to set up an innings victory

Tendulkar had developed into one of the best batsmen in the world by 1998, when he scored two centuries against Australia, and soon earned the "Little Master" nickname previously bestowed on Sunil Gavaskar

Equally prolific in one-day cricket, Tendulkar hits an unbeaten 140 against Kenya in Bristol during the 1999 World Cup in England and is introduced to the Queen, but India fail to make the semi-finals

For all his run-making abilities, captaincy was a struggle for Tendulkar as he lost Test series against Australia and South Africa during two spells in charge of the national team

Tendulkar is a big fan of tennis and motorsport. He regularly attends Wimbledon and lists John McEnroe as one of his sporting heroes, and more recently he was a VIP guest at the inaugural Indian Grand Prix in 2011