Sachin Tendulkar Calls it Quits from ODIs

Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday put an end to speculations of his retirement by saying he will no longer play in the one-day format of the game.

"I have decided to retire from the One-Day format of the game. I feel blessed to have fulfilled the dream of being part of a World Cup wining Indian team. The preparatory process to defend the World Cup in 2015 should begin early and in right earnest," Sachin said in a statement released by the BCCI, Press Trust of India reported.

The 39-year-old who was under constant pressure from critics after finest batsmen like Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman bid adieu to cricket finally decided to hang his boots ending the month long speculation. Sachin decided to move after playing 26 years of cricket for India, and during this period he created several batting records.

"I would like to wish the team all the very best for the future. I am eternally grateful to all my well wishers for their unconditional support and love over the years," he added.

The cricket maestro has 18,426 runs in 463 one-dayers at an average of 44.83 in his record at a time he called it quits. The right-hander batsman made his way to the ODI in 1989 against Pakistan. His decision of retirement came on the same day the National electors team are to pick team players for the series against Pakistan.