Chance for Sachin Tendulkar to break Sunil Gavaskar's domestic record

October 19, 2012
Sachin-Tendulkar


Lucknow, October 19: Sachin Tendulkar's decision to make a rare appearance in domestic cricket has sent the pulse of statistics-minded cricket fans racing in the hope that the master batsman may after all have a chance to overhaul two long-standing first-class records in India.

Tendulkar is just four centuries away from overtaking Sunil Gavaskar's Indian record of 81 first-class centuries and 1,383 runs from becoming the highest first-class run-getter in the country. But time is fast running out for Tendulkar.

Tendulkar holds almost all records in Tests and One-dayers, but he trails Gavaskar as far as records in first-class cricket are concerned. Gavaskar played 348 first class matches in which he aggregated 25,843 runs and collected 81 centuries, a record for an Indian batsman.

Tendulkar in 294 first-class games, which also includes 190 Test matches, has 24,452 runs and 78 centuries, second behind Gavaskar.


Tendulkar himself realises he doesn't have much cricket left in him, possibly a dozen or so Test matches. Probably, one would expect him to retire after he completes a double century of Test matches some time next year. Currently he stands at 190 and has eight Test matches lined up before he turns 40 next April.

In that limited time, will he be able to garner four more centuries and 1382 runs? That will enable him to retire as the highest century-maker and run-getter in first-class cricket in India, besides being the highest run-getter in Tests and ODIs in the world.

Of late, centuries are hard to come by for Tendulkar who has just one Test century in last two years and his last first-class ton came against Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy semifinal in January 2009. The subsequent final against Uttar Pradesh was his last domestic appearance in three years.

Tendulkar hardly plays first-class games other than Tests in the hope that he can preserve his body a bit longer. He has even semi-retired from the ODI format. The biggest question now in is: Will the impeding first-class record motivate him to step more often onto the dusty pitches on which domestic cricket is played? That, only time will tell.


The Legends In Numbers...

Tendulkar has 51 centuries in Tests and 27 centuries in other first-class cricket, and currently stands at 78, second behind Gavaskar in the Indian list.

Gavaskar finished with 34 Test centuries in 125 Tests and 47 centuries in 223 other first- class games for a grand tally of 81 centuries in 348 first class games, which also include Test matches.

Tendulkar has 51 centuries in 190 Tests and 27 tons in 104 other first class matches for a total of 78 centuries in 277 matches.

Gavaskar had only 35 international centuries: 34 in Tests and one in ODIs, to Tendulkar's 100, 51 in Tests and 49 in ODIs.

Gavaskar played only 108 ODIs for an aggregate of 3092 runs, Tendulkar has played a phenomenal 490 games and has 15550 runs to his credit.

Gavaskar has 13214 runs in 233 international games (125 tests and 108 ODIs) Tendulkar has 33959 runs in 63 international matches (190 tests and 463 ODIS)


Tendulkar's 78 centuries: 51 in Tests, 16 in Ranji Trophy, 1 for Mumbai in tour match against the Australians, 3 for West Zone in Duleep Trophy, 5 for Indians in overseas tour matches, 1 for Rest of India in Irani Cup and 1 for Yorkshire in county cricket.



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News Network
May 6,2020

New Delhi, May 6: He has flattered to deceive on umpteen occasions but highly-rated wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson says he has learnt to accept his failures in pursuit of the calm demeanour that former India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni possesses.

The 25-year-old from Kerala has always been talked about by the likes of Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir but it hasn't translated into international success with only four T20 Internationals in his kitty in the last five years.

"I have learnt to understand and focus more on my strengths and (be more) accepting (of) the failures. I try to contribute to the team's cause and try to take the team over the line. I am learning to focus and control my emotions while batting like MS Dhoni," Samson said during a podcast organised by Rajasthan Royals.

He recently made a comeback in India's T20 side and it was a worthy experience for him.

"It was great to be a part of the Indian team again. To be a part of one of the best teams in the world, surrounded by players like Virat bhai and Rohit bhai, it was a fantastic experience," Samson said.

In one of the games in New Zealand, Samson was sent to bat in the Super Over, something which made him feel wanted in the Indian set-up.

"It was a great feeling to be trusted by the players such as Virat bhai and Rohit bhai to go out there and bat in the crucial moments. It's a great feeling when the team and the players consider you to be a match winner."

On a lighter note, Samson revealed that he refers to Steve Smith as "chachu" (uncle) after Brad Hodge once started calling him by that name.

"I share a very good relationship with 'Chachu' Steve Smith. He is one of the best brains in world cricket and we all enjoy a lot playing under him."

Asked what's the back story of the nickname, Samson said: "It started with Brad Hodge, he used to call Smith 'Chachu', then when Hodgy left, I started calling Smith 'Chachu'. In return Smith also started calling me 'Chachu'. We both really enjoy and continue calling each other that."

While Dhoni is his idol, he also loves watching Jos Buttler in Royals and makes notes on how the star Englishman prepares for games.

"I observe Jos especially given he too is a wicketkeeper-batsman. He's always working on his skills and his game and never sits idle.

"He's either working on his keeping, batting in the nets or running around the park. I love to observe and know how he thinks and prepares as a keeper before a game.

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News Network
February 24,2020

Wellington, Feb 24: Indian batsmen's inadequacies in adverse conditions were laid bare as they crashed to an embarrassing 10-wicket defeat against a ruthless New Zealand side that wrapped up the opening Test in just over three days here on Monday.

Starting the day on 144 for four, India were all out for 191 in their second innings. This was only a shade better than their dismal 165 in the first innings, which eventually proved to be decisive.

Trent Boult (4/39 in 22 overs) and Tim Southee (5/61 in 21 overs), the most under-rated new ball pairs in world cricket, showed that when it boils down to playing incisive seam and swing bowling, this batting line-up is still a work in progress.

The required target of nine runs was knocked off by New Zealand without much ado for their 100th Test win.

India's last defeat was against Australia at Perth during the 2018-19 series but the loss at the Basin Reserve would hurt them more because the visitors have not surrendered in such a fashion of late.

There was no resistance from a star-studded line-up and more than intent, the failure was due to poor technique on a track that had something on the third and fourth day as well.

This is a team that plays fast bowling much better than their predecessors, the reason for their success on the bouncy Australian tracks.

But when it comes to facing conventional seam and swing bowling in testing conditions, they are yet to learn the art of saving a Test match.

India had lost the mental battle on the first day itself when they saw the moisture on the wicket.

The toss became a factor and not for one session did they look comfortable. Mayank Agarwal was the only batsman, who felt at home in patches, as New Zealand showed what a Test match strategy is all about.

If the first innings was about mixing back of length deliveries with fuller length balls, the second innings saw the pacers coming from round the wicket and targeting the rib-cage. The line was disconcerting and it stifled them for good.

It affected their mindset and once Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari stepped out on the fourth morning, defeat was written all over as both looked ill-equipped to handle such high quality seam bowling.

Rahane (29 off 75 balls) and Vihari (15 off 79 balls) are players who only play long-form cricket at the international level and both are known for their patience.

But little would have the Indian vice-captain apprehended that he would get a delivery from Boult, which he thought would move away after pitching but it held its line and he had no option but to jab at it, and all he got was an edge.

Southee, who bowls a lovely classical outswinger, then bowled an off-cutter from the other end and before Vihari could comprehend, it came back sharply to peg the stumps back.

Within first 20 minutes, the two seasoned practitioners of swing had knocked the stuffing out of India's resistance.

Rishabh Pant (25 off 41 balls) batted only in the manner he can and played one breathtaking shot off Southee, a slog sweep off a 130 kmph-plus delivery to the deep mid-wicket boundary.

But there was too much left to do with too little support from the other end. Bending on one knee, he tried another audacious slog scoop but couldn't clear.

Southee, who had a terrific match, deservingly completed his 10th five-wicket haul and all it took was 16 overs to end the innings and the match.

New Zealand now have 120 points in the World Test championship and India stayed on top with 36 points.

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Agencies
February 20,2020

New Delhi, Feb 20: Grappler Divya Kakran on Thursday became the second Indian woman to win a gold medal at the ongoing Asian Wrestling Championship.

Divya, a bronze medallist at Asian Games 2018, earned her first gold by winning all her four bouts against Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan and Japan.

Her final bout against Naruha Matsuyuki of Japan was the closest one but she managed to outclass her opponent 6-4 to seal her name on the gold medal. The 68 kg category was played in round-robin format as only five wrestlers were in the fray.

India is likely to add some more medals to its tally when Nirmala Devi, Pinki, and Sarita go out to grapple for the yellow metal in their respective weight categories.

Three-time Commonwealth championship gold medallist, Nirmala Devi (50 kg) first defeated Munkhnar Byambasuren of Mongolia in the quarterfinals by 6-4 to reach the semis.

In the semi-finals, Nirmala got the better of Dauletbike Yakhshimuratova of Uzbekistan by 10-0 and will play against 2018 Under-23 World Champion Miho Igarashi of Japan for the gold medal.

Pinki (55 kg) started her day on a winning note against Shokhida Akhmedova of Uzbekistan by 12-4 in round 3 and lost to Kana Higashikawa of Japan to enter the semis where she defeated Marina Zuyeva of Kazakistan by a score of 6-0.

Pinki will play in the gold medal bout against Dulguun Bolormaa of Mongolia.

Sarita (59 kg) will now face Battsetseg Altantsetseg of Mongolia in the gold medal bout after winning against her opponents in the qualifiers, quarterfinals and semi-final by a score of 10-0, 11-0 and 10-3, respectively.

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