Tendulkar walks, wait for 100th international ton for fans

Not the one to wait for umpires' decision if he is convinced that he is out, Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday walked off the crease voluntarily during India's World Cup match against the West Indies even if it meant he had to wait for his 100th international century. Tendulkar, who had smashed 51 Test hundreds and 48 ODI tons, left the crease after West Indies fast bowler Ravi Rampaul's delivery beat him despite umpire Steve Davis signalling not out.

He stabbed at the Rampaul short of length delivery which rose above his waist and straightened outside the off by taking the bottom hand off the handle before popping up to wicketkeeper Devon Thomas.

The champion Indian batsman, who had scored just two in four balls, chose to walk back to the pavilion to the stunned silence of the capacity crowd at the M A Chidambaram Stadium. India were eight for one in the first over then.

There were raucous cheers from fans after India started batting after Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and the above 35,000-strong crowd was anticipating Tendulkar completing a rare milestone.

A trademark clip off his legs for two off his first ball from Rampaul suggested Tendulkar, who moved to 99 hundreds against South Africa in an Group B match, remained in good form.

He then calmly dealt with the next two deliveries though not resulting in a run.

But then the fourth ball he faced and the last of the first over leapt from just short of a length from outside off-stump and straightened a touch before it flew through to the wicketkeeper. Rampaul and the West Indies appealed vigorously but Australian umpire Davis was unmoved.

However, after a brief pause, Tendulkar walked off with India eight for one in the first over.

Tendulkar's next chance to score his 100th century will come in Thursday's quarterfinal at Ahmedabad.ten