Sachin Tendulkar falls six runs short of hundredth hundred

THE FAIRYTALE turned into a horror show for Sachin Tendulkar this morning as the world's most famous cricketer fell just six runs shy of becoming the first man to score 100 international centuries. "Ravi Rampaul broke a billion hearts when he had Sachin Tendulkar (94) caught by Darren Sammy at second slip," wrote the Times of India, barely able to contain its grief.

The stage was set for Tendulkar when India resumed the fourth day of their Test match against the West Indies in Mumbai. The man they called 'the Little Master' – playing in his 184th Test – had been in imperious touch the previous day as India chased down West Indies' first innings total of 590.

In front of his adoring home crowd, Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid put on 83 runs for the third wicket, both batsmen effortlessly stroking the ball to all corners of the Wankhede stadium. Rahul Dravid went for 82 shortly before close of play on Thursday, with Tendulkar unbeaten on 67 at stumps.

When play began today, a crowd of more than 20,000 filled the stadium in the hope of seeing Tendulkar reach his historic milestone. The 38-year-old has been stuck on 99 international centuries (51 in Tests and 48 in one-day matches) since hitting 100 in the World Cup against South Africa in March.

"As the living god of cricket inches closer towards immortality, India is agog with a billion prayers and wishes," wrote the Times of India. "The anticipation is sharper, the excitement more palpable in his hometown."

Tendulkar began where he'd left off, driving and cutting the West Indian bowlers as he raced from 67 to 94. In one over bowled by Fidel Edwards, he smashed 14 runs, including a massive six. But facing Rampaul, Tendulkar edged the ball to second slip and was caught by Sammy.

"The stadium feels like air's escaped from a balloon. What an anticlimax," tweeted The Guardian's Dileep Premachandrana, as Tendulkar trudged disconsolately back to the pavilion. ·