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
June 10,2020

Jun 10: "It is never too late to fight for the right cause," said opening batsman Chris Gayle as he came out in support of former T20 World Cup-winning skipper Darren Sammy. The debate around racism in sport has kickstarted once again after former Windies T20 World Cup-winning skipper Darren Sammy alleged racism during his stint with SunRisers Hyderabad in the 2014 Indian Premier League. Taking note of Sammy's revelation, Gayle tweeted: "It's never too late to fight for the right cause or what you've experienced over the years! So much more to your story, @darensammy88. Like I said, it's in the game".

Earlier, Gayle had also revealed that he too has been a victim of racism, and added that racism is something that has been bothering cricket as well.

On Tuesday, Sammy had released a video specifying that the racial slurs against him were used within the SunRisers camp.

"I have played all over the world and I have been loved by many people, I have embraced all dressing rooms where I have played, so I was listening to Hasan Minhaj as to how some of the people in his culture describe black people," Sammy said in a video posted on his Instagram account.

"This does not apply to all people, so after I found out a meaning of a certain word, I had said I was angry on finding out the meaning and it was degrading, instantly I remembered when I played for SunRisers Hyderabad, I was being called exactly the same word which is degrading to us black people," he added.

Sammy said that at the time when he was being called with the word, he didn't know the meaning, and his team-mates used to laugh every time after calling him by that name.

"I will be messaging those people, you guys know who you are, I must admit at that time when I was being called as that word I thought the word meant strong stallion or whatever it is, I did not know what it meant, every time I was called with that word, there was laughter at that moment, I thought teammates are laughing so it must be something funny," Sammy said.

The former Windies skipper has been a vocal supporter of the protests that are currently going on in the United States over the death of an African-American man named George Floyd.

Sammy had also made an appeal to the ICC and other cricket boards to support the fight against social injustice and racism.

Ever since the demise of Floyd, protests erupted from the demonstrations in cities from San Francisco to Boston.

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News Network
May 1,2020

Melbourne, May 1: Reclaiming the top spot in Test cricket has brought smiles back on their faces but Australia coach Justin Langer says beating India in their own den remains the ultimate test and their numero uno status will be put to test when they clash with the Virat Kohli-led team.

After a tumultuous transition phase post the ball-tampering scandal, Australia on Friday displaced India as number one side in Test format but Langer is aware that it does not take long for the situation to change.

"We recognise how fluid these rankings are, but at this time it was certainly nice to put a smile on our faces," Langer told Cricket Australia website. "We've got lots of work to do to get to be the team that we want to be, but hopefully over the last couple of years not only have we performed well on the field, but also off the field," Langer added.

The former left-handed opener underlined what he felt will be the ultimate test of character.

"Certainly a goal for us has been the World Test Championship ... but ultimately, we have to beat India in India and we've got to beat them when they come back (to Australia).

"You can only judge yourself as being the best if you beat the best and we've got some really tough opposition to come," Langer put his priorities in place. The team he insists needs to get better as now others will come gunning for them.

"Getting to No.1 is a great thing, but when you're No.1, you're always the hunted," Langer said. "We've been the hunters for a while, now we're the hunted and we need to get better and better."

Langer also hoped that white ball team under Aaron Finch will win the World Cup. "I know how hard it is to win World Cups ... everything has to go right. One day, I'd love to see Aaron Finch with all his mates lift that T20 World Cup above his head."

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News Network
January 13,2020

Mumbai, Jan 13: India captain Virat Kohli indicated at dropping himself down the batting order to accommodate both Shikhar Dhawan and KL Rahul in the playing XI against Australia in the first ODI of the three-match series starting Tuesday.

With vice-captain Rohit Sharma an automatic pick, the team management is left with tough choice of selecting either Dhawan or Rahul in the XI. But the skipper sees no reason why both can't play together.

"Look, a guy in form is always good for the team. ...You obviously want to have the best players available and then chose from what the combination should be for the team. There might be a possibility that all three (Rohit, Shikhar and Rahul) might play. It will be interesting to see what balance we want to take in on the field," Kohli said on the eve of the match.

Asked if he would he be happy to bat lower down the order, Virat said,"Yeah, big possibility. I would be very happy to do so. Look I am not possessive about where I play. I am not insecure about where I bat," said the skipper.

For Kohli, it is more important as to what kind of leadership legacy he leaves behind rather than chase personal glory.

"Being the captain of the team, it is my job to make sure that the next lot is also ready. A lot of the other people might not look at it that way, but your job as a captain is not only to look after the team right now, but also to prepare a team that you leave behind when you eventually pass it onto someone else," he added.

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