A vintage Sachin Tendulkar played a magnificent knock of 163 runs - his 43rd century and maiden ton in New Zealand.

Tendulkar, whose previous best in New Zealand was 84 in Dunedin in March 1992, was in his sublime touch hitting 16 fours and five sixes in 133 balls before retiring hurt in the 45th over after Kiwi stand-in captain Brendon McCullum inserted India in on a sunny day.

At one time, it looked like Tendulkar would get past his own best innings of 186 -- that too against New Zealand in Hyderabad in November 1999 -- and even Pakistani Saeed Anwar's all time highest score of 193 was not out of danger.

Playing in his 425th match, the master batsman hit his last century (117 not out) in Sydney against Australia in March last year.