Sachin's 50th Test ton

Sri Lankan ex-captain Arjuna Ranatunga lavished praise on Sachin Tendulkar, saying the batsman was an iconic figure and played only for passion.

Although his 50th ton came in a losing cause, it did bring joy to millions of cricket fans around the world who were counting down the minutes to the landmark.

India on Monday celebrated the record-breaking feats of Sachin Tendulkar after the champion batsman scored an unprecedented 50th Test century.

It was almost as if the history of Sachin Tendulkar's career with all its wider ramifications was being written through this one innings.

Sharad Pawar congratulated Sachin Tendulkar for becoming the first cricketer to score 50 Test tons and said the iconic batsman's innings is a lesson for youngsters around the world.

Prez Pratibha Patil, PM Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, BJP boss Nitin Gadkari and Lata Mangeshkar hailed Sachin Tendulkar for being the first man to notch 50 Test tons.

Wishes and congratulatory messages started pouring in on Twitter for Sachin Tendulkar as soon as he brought up the 50th Test hundred.

Former players were effusive in their praise for Sachin Tendulkar who on Sunday became the first man in the history of Test cricket to post 50 centuries.