Colombo, Aug 3 (IANS) Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar Tuesday became the most capped player in Test cricket, surpassing former Australian captain Steve Waugh’s record of 168 Test matches.
‘The journey has gone by quickly. Time flies, you just need to enjoy,’ Tendulkar remarked after the end of first day’s play in the third Test against Sri Lanka.
‘There are sometimes rough patches, but I followed a simple formula and whenever I have gone though those phases I have worked harder.’
At 37, Tendulkar has every batting record to his name.
Tendulkar, who made his debut way back in 1989 against Pakistan, is the leading run scorer and century maker in Tests and ODIs.
He has 13,742 runs in 168 Tests at an average of 56.08, with 48 centuries and 55 half-centuries.
In 442 ODIs, he has accumulated 17,598 runs, striking 46 centuries. He is also the only batsman to score a double hundred in ODIs, which came against South Africa this year.
Tendulkar, who once Don Bradman said bats like him, said it was the biggest compliment in his career.
‘That’s the greatest compliment I got in life when Sir Don himself said that his style was similar to mine. It was a huge compliment. And then I was picked in the All Time World XI by him and it was a big morale booster for me. As a sportsperson, everybody wants their performance to be appreciated. After that I felt I am among the top guys. It was a dream to be regarded as one of the top players in the world.’
‘I continued to work harder to stay at the top. I performed consistently. It is a great satisfaction to wake up every morning and to do what I always dreamt of – to play for India.’
Asked what changes have taken place in Test cricket, Tendulkar said now the batsmen are prepared to take more risks.
‘I feel batsmen are willing to take chances because of Twenty20 and One-dayers. It has prepared the batsmen to take risks.’
