NEW DELHI: World and Indian greats on Saturday bowed to Sachin Tendulkar - "the best" - for scoring 100 international centuries, but speculation about his future threatened to overshadow the achievement.
Fevered Indian media seemed unconcerned that their side had lost the Asia Cup match to Bangladesh in Dhaka on Friday despite Tendulkar's hundred, as newspapers devoted several pages to celebrate the unprecedented feat.
"Thanks a ton", screamed identical headlines in the Times of India and Hindustan Times newspapers, while the front page in the Indian Express gave scores of the 38-year-old's centuries above the headline, "Mathemagic".
West Indies legend Viv Richards, regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all-time alongside Don Bradman and Tendulkar, said he was a great admirer of the record-breaking Indian.
"I have seen Sachin bat and I think I have seen the best," Richards wrote in a front-page tribute in the Times of India. "The 100th century was a testimony to his self-belief and his unwavering focus."
Amid calls for Tendulkar to retire from one-day cricket to prolong his Test career, Richards urged everyone to let the batsman decide his own future.
Tendulkar himself played down talk of retirement, saying he had not made up his mind.
"If I decide to retire, it won't be done secretively," he told a media conference in Dhaka late on Friday night. "I will let you guys know. As of now, I am enjoying the game."
Tendulkar was disappointed that India lost the game to Bangladesh despite making 289-5 following his 147-ball 114.
Tendulkar said the year-long wait to reach his 100th century after scoring his 99th on March 12 last year had frustrated him at times.
"I am not God. I am Sachin Tendulkar," he said.
Asked what could be his next milestone, Tendulkar replied: "I've never played cricket for milestones. I play cricket just because I enjoy the game."
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said the 100th ton was unlikely to be the last for Tendulkar, who turns 39 next month.
"Amazing, incredible, unbelievable," Ganguly wrote in the Hindustan Times about his long-time team-mate, who is the world's leading scorer in both Test and one-day cricket.
"I can surely tell you, hundred hundreds is not the ultimate figure for Sachin and many more are still due from the 'Special One'
