Thaindian News

Chandigarh, Oct 17 (IANS) The champagne flowed liberally against he backdrop of the Punjabi dhol (drum) as an euphoric Indian cricket team let their hair down at their hotel here Friday to celebrate the world record of 12,000 runs established by batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar.Tendulkar has not only became the highest run-getter in Test history but also became the first man to score 12,000 runs in Test cricket. Sourav Ganguly also reached the personal milestone of 7,000 runs on a day which was also the 38th birthday of Indian skipper Anil Kumble.

The stalwarts together cut a cake in team’s the dressing room at the end of first day’s play in the second Test against Australia.

Team India including Ganguly, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, V.V.S. Laxman, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir congratulated the little master. Harbhajan, in his characteristic way, danced to the beats of the dhol.

“We were busy in making arrangements since morning for the celebrations. It is the great feat of Tendulkar and the whole country is proud of this. There was a big bash with multiple cuisines laid out for the players,” Anil Malhotra, general manager of the Taj Hotel told IANS.

However, the Australian players did not show any interest in the celebrations that took place in the hotel lobby. The visibly tired Australian squad led by Ricky Ponting went straight up to their rooms.

India ended the first day of the second Test at 311 for five with Ganguly (54) and night watchman Ishant (2) at the crease.

In a brief ceremony organised by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at the PCA stadium, Tendulkar was also awarded a silver plate to mark his remarkable feat.