Tendulkar first to 15,000 ODI runs as India win

LONDON (Reuters) - Sachin Tendulkar became the first player to reach 15,000 runs in one-day internationals while steering India to a six-wicket win over South Africa in the Future Cup in Belfast on Friday.

The 34-year-old from Bombay thumped 93, sharing an opening partnership of 134 with Saurav Ganguly (42), to help India reach their target of 227 with five balls to spare and level the three-match series 1-1.

Tendulkar bludgeoned 13 fours and two sixes before he was bowled by spinner Thandi Tshabalala as his side slid from 134 for nought to 142 for four.

But Yuvraj Singh (49 not out) and Dinesh Karthik (32 not out) shared a stand of 85 to clinch victory.

"As long as the team are winning, everything else is secondary," Tendulkar told reporters.

"It is obviously a very happy feeling especially when we ended up on a winning note. But after playing for 18 years, I feel it (the milestone) is just one of those things."

Tendulkar said he particularly enjoyed his alliance with Ganguly.

JUNIOR DAYS

"He is a fabulous player, I've seen him play since junior days," said Tendulkar.