Sachin Tendulkar's historic 'ton'

BY ELMO Rodrigopulle

ALL India went delirious with delight when Sachin Tendulkar pushed Chaminda Vaas to square leg for a single to make history and become the highest maker of centuries in Test cricket.

Equal with Sunil Gavaskar on 34 centuries and when on 99, every Indian spectator on the ground and the millions watching would have had their hearts in their mouths and held their breath waiting for that single that would make Tendulkar an immortal in the game.

And when he finally achieved it, all hell would have broken loose and thunderclaps and deafening cheers would have rent the air for a proud cricketing son of India for rewriting the record books. Tendulkar had to wait long for this milestone. But the wait was worth it.

Already the batsman with the most number of centuries in one-day cricket, he now holds the record for a similar effort in Test cricket.

There is no getting away from the fact that the great Tenduklar is a cricketing god in India.

The Indians would do well to erect a statue in honour of this batsman who has entertained in every country that he has put his trade on show.

As a 16-year old when he first sported the Indian cap, he has continued to sport it with great honour, respect and aplomb and everytime he dons pads an walks out to the middle, his one ambition is to make runs and big runs at that and see his side to winning positions.

When he made that elusive single and ran to the opposing end, he held his bat in his left hand punched the air in delight and looking heaven wards, he would have been thanking the gods for guiding and directing him to this target.

When he walked in at the fall of the second Indian wicket, he took guard and immediately settled down to bat with one purpose, and that was to go for the record that had been eluding him for sometime.

He played every Sri Lanka bowler on merit. He always offered a straight bat and went for his shots only when the bad balls came along. He was content to first push the singles, but when deliveries came to be despatched to the fence and over it, he gave his all.

Before the series began Muralitheran had said he was targeting the great man. But that was said apparently more in hope.

Muralitheran and wicket keeper Sangakkara were so frustrated that they kept appealing everytime, Tendulkar was struck off line and on the front foot stretching well forward, trying to force umpire Simon Taufell to rule the batsman out.

Taufell had been voted the best umpire twice running and he could not be pressurised and he knew his job and ruled without fear or favour and was an example.

Probably Muralitheran and Sangakkara were having a bad day. More batting strength to Tenduklar and may he also become the highest run scorer in Test cricket.