SACHINS FIRST HUNDRED AS CAPTAIN OF INDIA

As Captain of India at the tender age of 23 Sachin scored a hundred (his ninth in ODI's) against Sri Lanka at the Premadasa Stadium in the Singer Trophy on 24th August 1996. Sachin scored an unbeaten 109 but India ended up losing the match tamely by nine wickets as Sanath Jayasuriya blasted a hundred in quick time. It was a festive occasion for the Indians and Sri Lankans as it was Coconut Day a national holiday in Sri Lanka and Raksha Bandhan or Narli Poornima in India where the sisters tie Rakhi on the hands of their brothers and the brothers in turn pledge to protect and stand by the side of their sisters at all times.