Tendulkar had an inkling it would come in SA

Sachin Tendulkar fought like an emperor amongst the ruins at Centurion on Sunday. And, in doing so, he reached another beautiful, and golden, moment in his illustrious career. As he fought adversity with customary brilliance, the little great man of Indian cricket not only added a 50th gem to his necklace of Test hundreds, but he also brought the nation to a standstill as only he can.
It is often said that men must make their own destiny and Tendulkar probably had a hunch that he would fulfill his idol's wish-Sunil Gavaskar egged him on to get 50 Test hundreds after he equalled his World Record of 34 Test hundreds in Dhaka-on the tour of South Africa.
For the record, Tendulkar does set personal goals for himself for every series though he never talks about them openly. After New Zealand had done poorly on the opening day of the final Test in Nagpur, Tendulkar predicted it would be a four-day finish. It was just that he told yours truly only after the Test was over as he rushed to the airport to get back home a day early.
Then again, when he fell for 61 in the first innings of the same Test match in Nagpur, he instinctively knew that the landmark had to come in South Africa. "God might have wished something better for me, maybe the 50th will come against better opponents, and under more difficult conditions," Tendulkar stated. How prophetic his words have proved to be!
Of course, years have rolled by in a flash, Tendulkar the boy-wonder has now become the senior most citizen of world cricket. Yet, his work ethics and his passion for the game hasn't diminished one bit. He prepares himself physically, mentally and emotionally before every series. During breaks, he follows his own regime which, in the end, ensures that his bat is merely an extension of his hands.
"The thing about great players like Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman is that they think differently. They haven't come from another planet but their cricketing acumen makes them different from the rest," remarks Harbhajan Singh, who happens to be Sachin's best buddy in the team.
Thus, on a memorable Sunday afternoon, Tendulkar won a great personal battle even as he stood between South Africa and victory. His treatment of the opposition bowling was as much a statement of intent as class.