Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar believes that the 1000th ODI which Team India is set to play against the West Indies on February 6 is a 'huge milestone' for the cricket frenzy nation.
Team India will become the first country to play 1000 ODIs when they square off against former world champion West Indies in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Sachin, who played 463 out of the 999 ODIs, paid his tribute to the past and current cricketers for their defining role in the four-decade-old journey.
Speaking on 100 MB, Master Blaster said, "India playing the 1000th ODI is a huge milestone. The first ODI was played in 1974, it was only possible because of the past cricketers, current cricketers, the past and current board members."
"And not to forget the most important people, our Indian cricket team well-wishers, from the past generations and the ones who are today with us," he added.
"I want to say it is an achievement for all of us and the entire nation should be proud of this and hope Indian cricket continues to grow from strength to strength. I wish them all the very best for the coming series and especially for the 1000th ODI," the legendary cricketer further stated.
India made their ODI debut against England back in 1974. Their first ODI win came against East Africa in the 1975 World Cup.
It took India a decade to get the hang of the format and the 1983 World Cup win proved to be the cornerstone for the Men in Blue to become a powerhouse in the format.
In 999 games, India has recorded 518 wins and 413 defeats with 41 matches ending in a no result and 9 tied.
In terms of individual records, Tendulkar holds most of them. He has played the most games, scored most runs, 50s and of course 100s. He played in a total of 6 World Cups, finally winning the elusive silverware in 2011.
India have won two WC's, two Champions Trophies and the Benson & Hedges Championship of Cricket in 1985. The Men in Blue are one of the three sides after Australia and the West Indies to win more than one World Cup and after Australia they have jointly won the most number of world events alongside the Windies.