Sachin Reaches 169 Caps
Sachin Tendulkar with the London County team at Lords. May 2006
Today, in the 3rd Test between Sri Lanka and India, at the P Sara Oval in Colombo, Sachin Tendulkar became the most-capped Test cricketer of all-time.
His 169th Test cap takes him past the legendary Australian Captain Steve Waugh.
In his record-equalling Test last week, Sachin made a double century against Sri Lanka, proving that age is not diminishing his desire to make big runs. I imagine Steve Waugh will be sad to lose his record, but the calibre of the man will appreciate the fact that such a fine player, and person, has eclipsed his record number of Test appearances.
Ironically, when Waugh’s record was set in 2004, when he played his final match at The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Tendulkar played one of his greatest innings, making a highly-disciplined 241 not out, as well as making 60 not out in the second innings. It was an outstanding performance by a great player, who had been out of form until that point, including getting out caught behind first ball in the previous Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
I was privileged to have watched Waugh’s last two Tests on my last trip to Australia, and fortunate that his finale at SCG included Sachin’s brilliant double century, where he eschewed driving through the offside for the duration of his great knock, (due to previous dismissals where he had ‘nicked off’) revealing remarkable restraint from playing one his favorite off-side drives.
It is fitting that the best player in the world should possess most of the sport’s records, but also sad for any individual whose record he has eclipsed on his way to achieving greatness.
Steve Waugh typified durability and tenacity throughout his distinguished career and for Sachin to reach 169 Test caps it reveals so much about his desire and love of playing cricket at the highest level. To maintain one’s standards for two decades is a remarkable feat in modern sport.
I had the privilege of playing against him when he was Yorkshire first-ever Overseas Player in 1992, and finding his feet as a highly-talented but slightly naiive young cricketer. More recently, through my friendship with Anil Kumble, I have spent more time in Sachin’s delightful company, and always been struck by his modesty, charm and humility.
With regard to his fame, motivation and excellence in Cricket, he gave a recent interview to BBC Radio, which I think is a wonderful example of what drives top performance in the best performers. He said:
” I don’t play for records, I play for enjoyment. That’s how it started out and that’s how it is. The dream was to play for India, and I aim to do my best every time I play. I don’t like to compare innings, I have respect for each one. ”
For the record, Sachin’s other world records include:
ODI Records:
Most Runs: 17,598
Most 100’s: 46 (his first was not until his 79th match)
Most 200’s: 1
Most 50’s: 93
Test Matches:
Most Matches:169
Most Test runs:13,742
Most centuries: 48
Many congratulations to ‘The Little Master’: a superb cricketer, a wonderful person, and a truly great ambassador for the game of Cricket.
