Sachin Tendulkar Creates Record

Sachin Tendulkar of India overtook retired West Indian captain Brian Lara on Friday to become Test cricket’s highest run-getter.

Tendulkar,35, surpassed Brian Lara’s total of 11,953 runs from 131 Tests when he scored 15 on the first day of the second Test against Australia at the Mohali , He made 88 before being caught in the slips off debutante pace bowler Peter Siddle with the second new ball, returning to the pavilion with 12,027 runs against his name.

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.

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.

"It is a good achievement because it took 19 years to reach there," Tendulkar said in a television interview after the day’s play.

"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.