Sachin Tendulkar out for 74 in What May Be His Final Innings for India

There was not quite a fairytale at the Wankhede in Mumbai, where Sachin Tendulkar fell for 74, 26 runs short of his 52nd Test century in his 200th and final Test match for India.

The "Little Master" played some more of his trademark strokes as he moved past his half-century, but the emotion of the Mumbai crowd could not carry him over the line, and he departed when he edged the West Indies' Narsingh Deonarine to slip.

Still, for a man who has not scored a Test century since the 2010/11 series against South Africa in Cape Town, it was a welcome reminder of the talent that saw him sustain a 24-year career at the elite level.

Tendulkar walked off to a standing ovation, once the crowds had recovered from the stony silence that greeted his dismissal.

The 40-year-old had earlier told how moved he was by the reaction of the country and beyond to his final game.

"

I am really touched with #ThankYouSachin messages. Your support all these years have inspired me to give my best.

— sachin tendulkar (@sachin_rt) November 13, 2013"

India, meanwhile, progressed quickly, with his batting partner Cheteshwar Pujara compiling a fluent century as the hosts built an enormous lead.

The live scorecard can be found here on Cricinfo.

The odds are shortening on India winning by an innings—if they do so, it means that Tendulkar has already made his last runs for his country.

Tributes have been flowing on Twitter for the great and good of the game, with some of the players paying their respects to Tendulkar's career born after he made his Test debut.

Here are a selection of the best of them:

"

Sachin made his debut for India before I was born. Then played in my test debut #ThankYouSachin

— Joe Root (@joeroot05) November 14, 2013"

"

The atmosphere in Mumbai right now must be immense!! #ThankYouSachin #LittleMaster

— Ian Bell (@Ian_Bell) November 14, 2013"

"

My 1000th tweet !!! #mybestwishes #200thtest #centuryatwankhede #SachinTendulkar #WestIndies #showsomefight

— Brian Lara (@BrianLara) November 15, 2013"

"

The Secret of how Sachin became a God..#ThankYouSachin #Yorkshire #Bitter. pic.twitter.com/TUknRFrG0O

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 15, 2013"