Thaindian News

Mohali, Oct 17 (IANS) Sachin Tendulkar became the highest run-getter in Tests, Sourav Ganguly crossed the 7,000-run-mark and the two stalwarts saw India end the opening day of the second cricket Test against Australia at 311 for five wickets here Friday. Ganguly (54 runs) and night-watchman Ishant Sharma (2 runs) were at the crease at stumps.

The day belonged to Tendulkar who not only surpassed West Indian Brian Lara’s record of 11,953 runs in Tests with ease, but also went on to become the first man to score 12,000 Test runs.

Play had to be stopped for a few minutes as crackers were burst at the Punjab Cricket Association stadium and all Australian cricketers walked up to Tendulkar to congratulate him. Tendulkar looked up to the skies, thanking the almighty for the achievement.

When Ganguly reached his personal milestone, he became the fourth Indian batsman to score 7,000 runs.

Unluckily, Tendulkar was out on 88, 12 short of his 40th Test century, when he edged fast bowler Peter Siddle into the hands of Matthew Hayden in the slips to give the 23-year-old debutant from Victoria his first Test wicket.

India were off to a steamy start in the pre-lunch session after winning the toss, with openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir putting on a strokeful 70 runs for the first wicket before Sehwag (35) fell to Mitchell Johnson when he got a leg-side tickle to be caught by wicket-keeper Brad Haddin.

Though the Australian fast bowlers were unable to trouble any of the Indian batsmen in the first three hours of play, the Indian side saw a mini-collapse between the 41st and 46th over when three wickets fell.

India were 174 for three in 51 overs at tea after being 146 for one in the 41st over. India’s collapse started in the 41st over when Rahul Dravid (39) dragged a Brett Lee delivery onto his stumps.

Two balls later, a confident looking opener Gautam Gambhir (67) was caught behind off Mitchell Johnson.

Gambhir’s knock was studded with nine boundaries.

V.V.S.Laxman too perished cheaply for 12, also caught by Haddin off Johnson, who was the most successful Australian bowler claiming three wickets from his first 15 overs.

Both Tendulkar and Ganguly then steadied the Indian innings, attaining their personal milestones in the process.

Earlier, India’s stand-in captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni went out to win the toss in the absence of skipper Anil Kumble. Kumble, who turned 38 Friday, sat out because of a shoulder stress. Uncapped leg-spinner Amit Mishra was drafted into the side.