Classy Tendulkar fulfils his destiny

By N.Ananthanarayanan

MOHALI, India (Reuters) - India's Sachin Tendulkar moved past Brian Lara's world batting record for most test runs Friday, accumulating another record in a long career that has been earmarked for greatness since he made his debut at 16.

The 35-year-old, who has already secured his place among the pantheon of all-time great batsmen, achieved the landmark on the first day of the second test against Australia.

Tendulkar needed 15 runs to surpass the retired West Indian's mark of 11,953 runs after narrowly missing the record while helping salvage a draw in the first test. He reached 16 shortly after tea to break the record.

He already holds the records for most test hundreds (39), one-day runs (16,361) and centuries (42) and is the third-most capped test player (152) behind Australia's Steve Waugh (168) and Allan Border (156).

Once described by Australia's Don Bradman has having a similar batting style as his own, Tendulkar has lived up to that expectation since his international debut in 1989.

Emulating compatriot Sunil Gavaskar as test cricket's highest run scorer, however, should also help send a gentle reminder to fickle Indian fans he still has plenty to offer the team.

Frenzied speculation in the cricket-mad country has surrounded Tendulkar as to whether he, along with other veterans, should keep their places or retire and allow a new generation in.

TEAM MAINSTAY