Bradman Museum ‘Great of the Game’ Sachin Tendulkar has announced his retirement from International One-Day cricket.

The 39-year-old is the world’s top run-getter in one-day cricket, with 18,426 runs from 463 matches at an average of 44.83.

“I have decided to retire from the one-day format of the game,” he said in a statement.

Tendulkar, who is also the highest scorer in Tests, said that he was quitting to allow the Indian selectors to build a team for the 2015 World Cup which is being held in Australia and New Zealand.

Amongst many awe-inspiring statistics, the longevity of Tendulkar’s career is highlighted by his participation in six World Cups since 1992.

Named the “Little Master”, Tendulkar made his one-day debut aged 16 in Gujranwala on a tour of Pakistan in 1989. He lasted just two deliveries before being dismissed by Waqar Younis without scoring.

His retirement announcement on Sunday comes only weeks after Ricky Ponting, second only to Tendulkar in the list of highest run scorers in Test cricket, played his last match for Australia.

Everyone at the Bradman Foundation wishes him well in his retirement from International One-Day Cricket.

Visit the International Cricket Hall of Fame to see exclusive interview footage of the ‘Little Master’ as well as his Test Vest he autographed in 2002 at Headingly in England after he surpassed Sir Donald Bradman’s 29 Test Centuries.

Photo: Tendulkar batting; Bangalore v. England, 2011 World Cup (Photo Courtesy Philip Brown)