Sachin's chance for a ton of tons at home

Imagine this. India pulling off a sensational World Cup final victory over Sri Lanka, and Sachin Tendulkar playing the lead role by smashing his 100th international century in front of his home crowd at the Wankhede stadium.

A billion fans can now dream of that perfect finish after the victory over Pakistan - Sachin holding aloft the one trophy that is missing from his cabinet.

On Wednesday, Sachin helped his team take that final step, though through a scratchy innings — Pakistan dropped four clear catches and a leg-before-wicket decision was overturned. But he dug in to anchor the Indian innings that gave the bowlers the opportunity to put pressure on the rivals. Eight years ago in the World Cup Super Eights, Tendulkar missed out on his century by two runs.

But the team would look back gratefully at the most crucial Decision Review System request he made that helped overturn a leg-before-wicket decision against him.

If India go on to win the final against Sri Lanka on April 2, that decision will be spoken about for years to come.

Playing his sixth and final World Cup, a defeat against Pakistan would have broken his heart.

Tendulkar deserves the trophy for the runs,wins and records achieved over the years and, most crucially, having been the face of Indian cricket for two decades.