Flashback to February 24, 2010, Gwalior. India vs South Africa, second ODI. Sachin Tendulkar steps out to bat, unaware he’s about to etch his name in immortality. His unbeaten 200 off 147 balls—25 fours, 3 sixes—made him the pioneer of ODI double centuries, steering India to 401/3.
The buildup was tense: India had edged the first match by 1 run. South Africa needed a statement. Instead, they got Tendulkar’s symphony. Sehwag’s quick 9 set the tone briefly, but it was Tendulkar’s show. With Karthik, he forged 194; Pathan added 81-run stability (36 runs); Dhoni’s 68* sealed the onslaught.
Roelof van der Merwe and Wayne Parnell grabbed wickets, but couldn’t stem the tide. Chasing 402, South Africa folded at 248. De Villiers’ 114 and Amla’s 34 weren’t enough against India’s attack—Sreesanth (3/49), Nehra (2), Jadeja (2), Pathan (2), Praveen (1).
Series lost 0-2, South Africa bounced back in the decider. Yet, Tendulkar’s feat sparked a revolution: 12 double centuries later, his vision of high-scoring ODIs is the norm. February 24 symbolizes innovation, proving one innings can redefine a format.