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Happy coincidence: Tendulkar, Gayle double tons scored on same day

Last updated on: February 24, 2015 17:40 IST

Sachin Tendulkar of India celebrates his 100 during the 2nd ODI between India and South Africa  at Captain Roop Singh Stadium on February 24, 2010 in Gwalior

India's Sachin Tendulkar celebrates his 200 during the second ODI against South Africa at Captain Roop Singh Stadium in Gwalior on February 24, 2010. Photograph: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images

There is not much that separates modern-day One-day batting geniuses, the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and West Indies' legend-in-the-making Chris Gayle.

Whether it was Test cricket or One-Day Internationals, the now-retired Tendulkar loved to give the cricket ball a good whack around the park and make the opposition fielders chase leather all day. Same with Gayle.

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Now, there is another similarity added to the resume of both batsmen. February 24 will be remembered in history as the day when the Indian icon and Gayle hit ODI double tons.

Tendulkar hit the first-ever ODI double ton against South Africa at Gwalior on February 24, 2010. Against Steyn and company he (200 not out off 147 balls) played an unbelievable knock to add to his batting legacy.

Chris Gayle of West Indies celebrates his double century

Chris Gayle of the West Indies celebrates his double century against Zimbabwe in the 2015 World Cup. Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

On Tuesday, exactly five years after Tendulkar's historic innings, Gayle hit a whirlwind 215 to become the first batsman to score a double century in the history of the World Cup.

- Gayle mauls Zimbabwe for first World Cup double century

Gayle's devastating knock of 215 off 147 balls helped the West Indies amass 372 for 2 against Zimbabwe in Canberra.

His devastating knock helped the Caribbeans amass 372 for 2 before shooting out Zimbabwe -- whose run-chase was reduced to 363 from 48 overs -- for 289 in 44.3 overs under the Duckworth-Lewis method after rain briefly interrupted the contest.

The 35-year-old left-hander hit Tendai Chatara for a boundary in the 46th over of the West Indies' innings to reach the mark off 138 balls.

He walked into record books, hitting the fastest double century in ODIs, beating Virender Sehwag's knock off 140 balls.

Rediff Sports Desk