10th December 2005
Sachin Tendulkar goes past Sunil
Gavaskar
Sachin Tendulkar, who equalled Sunil
Gavaskar's record of 34 Test centuries
in 2004, took nearly a year to surpass
the batting legend. The century No. 35
came in the second Test against Sri
Lanka at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.
Batting first, India lost a couple of
early wickets before VVS Laxman and
Tendulkar got together and put on a
good stand. However, India kept losing
wickets at regular intervals and
despite Tendulkar's knock of 109, the
hosts finished with a total of 290. In
reply, Sri Lanka could only manage 230
as Anil Kumble was in his elements,
picking up 6/72. Having taken a handy
lead, the Indians went on to post 375/6
decl, riding on Irfan Pathan's 93 and
half-centuries from Rahul Dravid,
Yuvraj Singh and MS Dhoni. Needing
436 for a victory, Sri Lanka ended up
being bowled out for 247 with Kumble
(4/85) doing the damage again.