by Rupesh UK
On the first day of the second test match between India and Australia, something was to happen, that would take the cricketing world take notice. It was the day when Sachin Tendulkar created history by becoming the highest run scorer in test match history. Although, India won that match with a huge margin, but, the highlight of the match was that of Sachin’s achievement.
When the match started, Sachin needed a mere 15 runs to surpass the magic number of 11,953, set by the West Indian super star Brian Lara. On the second day and after the tea break, Sachin drifted a Peter Siddle delivery to third man for three runs and to become the highest test run scorer.
It is not surprising that Sachin achieved this feat. Since his test debut against Pakistan in 1989 as a prodigy, the little master has been entertaining us with his immense skill and sportsmanship, playing for the team and the country, that he is considered as the master of the modern day cricket. The journey that began that day and that age, when he scored his first runs, continues, and the tally which he holds now is the effort of his consistency at the highest level. Going back to the days of yore, Sachin scored his first test century when he was 17. By 19, he had the world already peeking at his caliber when he scored a magnificent century against Australia on a pacy WACA pitch and by 25, Sachin had a century count of 16. Today, he holds the record for the most number of centuries in both forms of the game. With a test average of 54.22 and 39 test centuries, what Sachin has achieved talks his greatness and giving us an idea of what it is like being Sachin when he takes guard on the field.
Of all the players, the only other player nearing Sachin’s class and with whom many a times we had seen the debate of being the greatest test player, will be Brian Lara. The Calypso King, during his playing days will be remembered for his knock of 501 not out in the 1994 county game against Durham, playing for Warwickshire and also the test match of 2004, where he walked out to score 400 not out against England. Not a mere achievement, but the two players belong to the highest class. A cricketing genius that he is, Sachin is much applauded by many and sometimes considered second to the greatest player to have walked on the cricket field, Sir Donald Bradman. Perhaps, the best moment of his career could be when the great man, Sir Donald Bradman mentioned that Sachin’s batting reminded him of his own.
For a cricket crazy nation, Sachin is more than the records that he had broken, a God for their religion. At 35, Sachin might play only for a few more years, but, the little master will always be entertaining the cricket fans with his sportsmanship, encouraging many youngsters to play like him.
