The Hindu : Front Page : Tendulkar equals Gavaskar's world record

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Dec 12, 2004

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Tendulkar equals Gavaskar's world record

SUMMIT MEETING: Sunil Gavaskar welcomes Sachin Tendulkar to what was — for 17 years — a lonely one-member club. Tendulkar equalled Gavaskar's world record for the number of Test centuries (34) in the first Test against Bangladesh at Dhaka on Saturday. — Photo: V.V.Krishnan.

CHENNAI, DEC. 11. Sachin Tendulkar equalled Sunil Gavaskar's record for the most number of centuries in Test match cricket (34), and then remained unbeaten on 159 on the second day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka on Saturday.

It has taken Tendulkar the better part of 15 years to get there; and when he finally did, he celebrated the achievement in that now familiar, understated manner. On reaching his 34th century with a quick single off seamer Tapas Baishya, Tendulkar took off his helmet and glancing skyward, raised his bat in acknowledgement.

With this innings, the little master has become only the third cricketer to score hundreds against every Test playing nation, after the legendary Australian, Steve Waugh, and Gary Kirsten of South Africa.

Back in the dressing room, Harbhajan Singh leapt up the moment Tendulkar set off for the single, and was followed closely by the rest of the Indian team. In the commentary box meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar himself stood applauding.

The 31-year-old Tendulkar is playing in his 119th Test and before the start of this match, had compiled 9595 runs. His career average is a remarkable 56.11. (Interestingly, Gavaskar, too, scored his 34th Test hundred in his 119th match.)

Some of the game's most prestigious batting records are now well within the reach of this gifted cricketer.

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