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Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar surpassed compatriot
Sunil Gavaskar's record of most Test centuries with
his 35th century on the first day of the second Test
versus Sri Lanka in the Ferozshah Kotla ground
on Saturday.
Tendulkar, who last played a Test in home series against
Pakistan early this year, reached the feat with a single
after turning a Chaminda Vaas delivery towards fine
leg at the Ferozshah Kotla ground.
The Mumbai-batsman had equalled Gavaskar's mark of
34 centuries in Bangladesh in December last year.
Meanwhile India were 245 for three at the end
of first day's play.
Playing his 125th Test, the Little Champion thus surpassed
fellow Mumbaikar Sunil Gavaskar's record of 34 centuries.
He also went past Mohd Azharuddin as the highest Indian
run-getter against Sri Lanka, eclipsing the former's
1215 runs.
Giving Tendulkar company at stumps was Sourav Ganguly
(39) and the duo would resume the Indian innings on
Sunday.
The batting maestro walked into a roaring welcome with
a huge burden of expectations on his shoulders and Indian
hearts skipped a beat when he survived a leg before
appeal in the very first ball he faced.
On the verge of becoming the cricketer with highest
Test tons, Tendulkar survived another lbw appeal when
a Dilhara Fernando's express delivery thudded onto his
pad.
Shaking off the inertia, the diminutive genius played
some breathtaking drives, besides a trademark sweep
off Muralitharan and took a single off the offie to
record his 42nd Test half century that came off 112
balls.
He hit Muralitharan for three successive boundaries
that fetched India's 200 in 64.3 overs.
Towards the end, Tendulkar lifted Bandara over long
on for a huge six.
But as the milestone neared, he had torrid times with
Dilhara Fernando breathing fire.
However, a Single off Vaas took him past the magic
mark amid standing ovation from the ecstatic stadium.
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