The fact that seemed destined for greatness was apparent in his teenage years itself. The question was more when it would happen than if it would.

It ultimately did and by the time he called time after 24 years on the international stage, he had set the bar very high. But believe it or not, one person unknowingly predicted Sachin's greatness when the then young man was not even 19. But to know more we have to rewind the clock to 1992.

It was Perth 33 years ago where was battling a hostile Aussie bowling attack. While the rest of India crumbled on a wicket that would make the best batters struggle, this teenager was scoring almost at will. Sachin made an elegant 114 and while it was not enough to prevent an Indian defeat, it did put him in the spotlight.

© X/BCCI

It was here that Australian bowler Merv Hughes uttered the words that would prove to be true in 16 years. He turned to Allan Border and said that this man would get more runs than him. Border at that time was the second-highest run-getter in Tests. In 1993, he broke Sunil Gavaskar's record to become No. 1 and retired in 1994 with 11,174 Test runs.

went from strength to strength over the next decade and broke several records on the way. In 2008, he finally surpassed Border's tally and became No. 2 in the world. The same year he went past Brian Lara's 11,953 to become the highest run-scorer in Test history. He also became the first to breach the 12,000-run mark.

© X/BCCI

Hughes' prediction in 1992 came true in 2008. Sachin indeed had more runs than Border. But Sachin was far from done. He continued playing until 2013. When he did retire at the age of 40, he was second to none. Sachin finished with the most Test runs, appearances, hundreds, fifties and fifty-plus scores. In ODIs he finished with most runs, appearances, hundreds, fifties and fifty-plus scores. In international cricket he also ended with most runs, appearances, hundreds, fifties and fifty-plus scores. Barring the record of most ODI tons, he still holds the rest.

The boy who entered the side at 16 left as a legend at 40. When Sachin batted, India came to a standstill. Hughes could not have known at that time how true his words would be, but the years to come would prove him right. Australia would also suffer a lot at the hands of Sachin be it Down Under or in India. In 1992, he was a potential legend and in 2008, he was already one. When he left the game, he was in a class all by himself.