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| Sachin does India proud | | | AGENCIES
MOHALI, Oct 17: At 2.31 pm today Sachin ‘India’ Tendulkar broke Brian Charles Lara’s two year old record of being the highest run getter in Test cricket and became the only cricketer in history of the game to score 12000 runs. As Tendulkar cruised past the feat, Sourav Ganguly notched up his 35th Test fifty, and became the fourth Indian batsman to score above 7000 runs in Test cricket.
Tendulkar, a veteran of 152 Tests, is already the world's top scorer in one-day internationals (16,361 runs), and has more Test (39) and one-day (42) centuries than any other batsman.
“It’s definitely the biggest record of my life because it took 19 years for it”, said a much delighted Sachin at the day’s play.
Tendulkar 35, crossed Lara's tally of 11,953 runs from 131 Tests when he passed 15 on the first day of the second Test against Australia at the Punjab Cricket Association ground here.
He made 88 before being caught in the slips off debutant pace bowler Peter Siddle with the second new ball, returning to the pavilion with 12,027 runs against his name.
He is also the most senior active cricketer, having made his Test debut as a 16-year-old on November 15, 1989 against Pakistan in Karachi.
However, the Mumbaikar seemed to be unperturbed by the achievement. Calm and serene as ever, Sachin said that his focus was more on the game than the record. “I was trying to focus on the game and not the record. I never thought of setting records. But while playing well, I subconsciously set targets. I wasn’t that excited about it (the record). I didn’t want to loose my concentration that time. I just wanted to make a good partnership”, said Sachin.
"Sourav (Ganguly) and me were focused on batting out the day. I did not really think of the record too many times. I try to keep the records out of my mind and my aim is mainly to contribute.
"But when you come near a record, subconsciously you think about it, but the important thing is to play your best for the country.
"It's nice that it's come at the right time because the Australians are a quality opposition.
"I planned to stay till the end but that did not happen. I thought I did not use my feet well but that's the beauty of the game. "The ball changes and so does the game."
Tendulkar, asked how he dealt with the criticism of taking so long to surpass Lara, quipped: "There are stones thrown at you and you turn them into milestones."
Tendulkar, who received warm applause from some 15,000 home fans when he walked in to bat at the fall of Rahul Dravid's wicket, needed an hour to score the 15 runs required to break the record.
He was on four at the non-striker's end when Australia dismissed Gautam Gambhir and Venkatsai Laxman in quick succession.
As Ganguly took time to settle down, Tendulkar was stuck on 13 when the tea break was called with India on 174-4.
He reached the landmark off the first ball after resumption, gliding Siddle for three runs to third man and raised his bat to acknowledge the wild cheers from the crowd and teammates.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting shook hands with a visibly relieved Tendulkar, as did the other fielders. |
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