'Sachin's feat of hundred tons unlikely to be matched'

Former India captains Dilip Vengsarkar and Chandu Borde hailed Sachin Tendulkar's 100th international hundred as an achievement that is likely to stand the test of time.

- Congratulate Tendulkar on his 100th ton

"It's a golden moment for not only Sachin but also Indian cricket. It's a historic moment. Nobody has done it before and is the greatest milestone," said Vengsarkar, a former chief selector, soon after the senior batsman achieved the landmark against Bangladesh in Mirpur in the ongoing Asia Cup on Friday.

"It's very, very hard to beat. I'm very glad that an Indian has done it," he added.

Borde, another former skipper, also felt the landmark may not be surpassed.

"Today history was created by a great player, a great innings by a great player and I don't think this performance will be broken for many years to come, probably not ever. It appears to be a permanent record," said Borde from Pune.

- How Sachin Tendulkar achieved the feat

Asked whether Tendulkar will now call it a day from at least the limited-overs' format, the 77-year-old former middle-order batsman said it is for the player himself to decide.

"It's up to Sachin. I know how difficult a decision it is as he loves the game so much. I have personally experienced this when I decided to quit first class cricket. I kept awake till 3 am. It's up to him."     

Mohinder Amarnath, a member of 1983 World Cup-winning team, under Kapil Dev, said India is very lucky that a player of Tendulkar's stature is playing for the country.

"It's a great achievement by Tendulkar and a very, very special day for Indian cricket. India is lucky to have a cricketer like Sachin," Amarnath, a member of the national selection panel, said.

He also hailed Tendulkar's dedication to the game.

"His passion, determination and dedication to the game is admirable. It's not easy to have played for 23 years at the international level in these times," added Amarnath.

Asked whether this record set by Tendulkar can ever be broken, Amarnath said, "Records are meant to be broken. But it will not be easy for anyone to even come near this record."

Another ex-captain, Nari Contractor, also congratulated Tendulkar.

"My congratulations to Sachin. It's a great achievement and that too by an Indian... is great for Indian cricket," said Contractor.

"We are happy he has got it. It has been coming for a long time (over one year since he scored his 99th international 100 in the 2011 World Cup). His wait is over and our wait also is over," he said.

Contractor also did not expect this particular landmark to be broken soon.

"Records are meant to be broken, but this one looks to be near impossible to be broken as no one will be playing so much cricket. Already the number of Tests have been reduced."

Another former India cricketer, Bapu Nadkarni, said, "All I can say is well done, maestro. He was very, very determined today, though when he reached 70s and 80s, he seemed to lose his concentration before getting it back.

"I don't think anyone will come near this record in the near future. It will require another Tendulkar perhaps." 

ICC Chief Executive Haroon Lorgat congratulated Tendulkar, saying, "On behalf of every cricket fan around the globe I congratulate Sachin on becoming the first person to score 100 centuries for his country. This is indeed a magnificent feat and not likely to be easily emulated.

"Fans have admired Sachin for more than twenty years and have recently waited with great expectation for his 100thinternational century.

"The number 100 is special for a batsman and to record 100 centuries for your country is a massive statement.

"Like millions of others I have personally followed his career ever since he first played for India as a gifted 16-year-old and now, more than two decades later, his passion and personal records, which include more than 33,000 runs at international level, is a modern day wonder. 

"He is a marvel to cricket lovers around the world and with an array of batting records, Sachin is a true role model who will undoubtedly hold a special place in cricket's history," said Lorgat.

BCCI president N Srinivasan heaped praise on Tendulkar.

"Ever since he made his international debut in November 1989, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has strode cricketing arenas the world over, like a colossus. He has broken old records and set new benchmarks. He has been an inspiration to billions, and an ornament to the sport," he said.

"16 March 2012 will never be forgotten by cricket-lovers.

"On behalf of the BCCI, I would like to congratulate Sachin Tendulkar for completing a century of international centuries," he added.