The whole nation was eagerly waiting for cricket maestro Sachin Tendulkar to complete his 100th century, and he came close to achieving the milestone today before he was dismissed for 94 runs in the third and final Test against the West Indies at the Wankhede stadium. It looked so near and yet so far, as he was short of just 6 runs to become the first cricketer to score 100 centuries.

Sachin Tendulkar
Disappointed Sachin Tendulkar leaves the crease after failing to score his 100th century.

Resuming from overnight's score of 67, the master batsman looked set to score the much-awaited 100th century. He made the crowd happy by hitting 3 boundaries and a six in the session. However, there was pin-drop silence when the umpire's finger went up at 94. He edged paceman Ravi Rampaul to West Indies captain Darren Sammy at second slip, and thus missed the milestone again.

Tendulkar has scored 51 centuries in tests and 48 in one-dayers. His last century came in March against South Africa during the World Cup. It's been over eight months since the nation and cricket lovers worldwide have been waiting for the batting maestro to score the elusive century.

Replying to West Indies' first innings score of 590, India were 388/6 with Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin at the crease at the time of filing this story.

India hold an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.