Farahanaaz Dastur/NDTV

Vadodara, Feb 1: A champion sportsperson is one who comes back against the odds to silence his critics. And that's exactly what Sachin Tendulkar did when he scored a 76 ball century in Vadodra on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old infact said post the match that he knew his batting. He had played long enough to know what was good for him and he did not want to know what others were thinking.

Now India's convincing series win would have made the fans happy, but what would really gladden their hearts is Sachin Tendulkar's return to form. The Bombay Bomber showed glimpses of his glorious best as he demolished the opposing bowlers in the last ten overs.

The ton was Sachin's 41st one-day hundred, but importantly it was also his second fastest in one-dayers. He did get two 'lives' along the way after being dropped on 85 and 91, but that didn't stop the fans and experts from gushing about the way he compiled his knock.

"The shots he played were outstanding, the power he generated and even the way he ran between the wickets. He was running hard. He obviously seems to be on a roll. And if Sachin can get a hundred for India down the order, then what else can the team ask for?" said Lokendra Pratap Sahi, Sports Editor, The Telegraph.

"The spell after he got to his 50, he got to his hundred in just five overs after that. That was just fantastic. He played such 'original' strokes!" said a fan.

Media attention

The Windies were at the receiving end on this occasion as well when Sachin posted his last ton, his 40th, in Malaysia.

The debate over whether he should open, and his indifferent form in recent times has attracted more attention in the media, something the Indian skipper finds quite funny.

"Like I said yesterday, we were not unduly worried about Sachin. Maybe everyone else can stop worrying about it now, so that we can have a bit of peace around. But what will we discuss then? There won't be anything to discuss. Though I assure you they'll find something," said Rahul Dravid, Indian Cricket Captain..

But I think it was a great innings. I think Sachin showed why he is a great player and why he can play in different situations, and why he can adapt," he added.

The Indian skipper could not have summed up Master Blaster's innings better.