Sachin Tendulkar created history by firing the first double century in one-day internationals as India put South Africa to the sword in Gwalior.

The 36-year-old was in indomitable form as he bludgeoned 25 fours and three sixes in a stunning 200 off 147 balls.

It passed the previous best of 194, set by Pakistan's Saeed Anwar in 1997 and Zimbabwe's Charles Coventry last year.

And it led India, aided by a fabulous cameo of 68 off 35 balls from Mahendra Dhoni, to a superb 401-3 from 50 overs.

Tendulkar, whose previous best one-day knock was the 186 not out he scored against New Zealand in 1999, is already the leading run-scorer in Test and ODI cricket.

HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL ODI SCORES 200* Sachin Tendulkar, India v South Africa 2010 194* Charles Coventry, Zimbabwe v Bangladesh 2009 194 Saeed Anwar, Pakistan v India 1997 189* Viv Richards, W Indies v England 1984 189 Sanath Jayasuriya, Sri Lanka v India 2000

But to have reached such a landmark, with a single in the final over, only serves to underline his class and add to the legacy that already surrounds arguably the finest batsman to have played the game.

His innings was typified by wristy strokes, trademark boundary shots and, above all, stamina as he batted through the entire innings.

He passed the previous best score in ODIs off 140 deliveries before taking his time over the final six runs, completing his double century with a single off Charl Langeveldt four balls from the end of the innings.

Despite clearly suffering with cramp towards the end, Tendulkar was not to be denied and the packed Gwalior crowd were in raptures as he brought up the record.

Around him, Dinesh Karthik and Dhoni provided able support.

606: DEBATE So glad he is the first one to get there in the mens game  80mph

Karthik, who came to the crease in just the fourth over after sending a high catch down to Dale Steyn at third man off Wayne Parnell, struck four fours and three sixes on his way to an 85-ball knock of 79.

He departed when he mistimed a pull shot to Herschelle Gibbs at mid-wicket but Yusuf Pathan upped the pace with 36 off 23 balls, including two huge sixes.

However, not even he could match Dhoni's remarkable strokeplay, the India captain providing a staggering display of power hitting with four sixes and seven fours that allowed Tendulkar to calmly build his record-breaking innings at the other end.