Tendulkar takes Test caps record

SACHIN Tendulkar became the most capped player in Test history yesterday, but could only watch on as Sri Lanka made a strong start in the third Test against India in Colombo.

The hosts were 293 for four at stumps on day one, but even that strong showing could not diminish a landmark occasion for the great India batsman.

In playing in his 169th Test, Tendulkar passed the mark of former Australia captain Steve Waugh and added to his plethora of records including most Test centuries (48) and most Test runs (13,742).

The batsman made his Test debut in 1989 against Pakistan in Karachi at the age of 16, scoring 15 runs in the process. A year later he made his maiden Test century against England at Old Trafford, scoring 119.

The 37-year-old, from Mumbai, was named Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1997 before going on to score his first double century for Mumbai against Australia in the Brabourne Stadium a year later.

Tendulkar's run-scoring is as prolific in the one-day game as it is in the Test arena. He was the leading run scorer at 1996 World Cup played in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with a total of 523 runs. Better was to follow in 2003 when he was named the Player of the Tournament as he scored 673 runs, the most by any player.

Tendulkar may not have enjoyed much success in his brief stint as India captain, but it did not stop him piling up the Test appearances and runs.

In 2005, he overtook Sunil Gavaskar's record of the highest number of centuries by claiming his 35th Test century against Sri Lanka in Delhi. A year later, he overtook Kapil Dev, claiming the record for the highest number of Test appearances for India with 135.

His ultimate landmark came in October 2008, when he became the highest run scorer in Test cricket, passing Brian Lara's previous mark of 11,953.

Away from the game, Tendulkar is one of India's biggest stars. His Hollywood-style persona means he has had to don a wig in an attempt to go out unnoticed. But stealing the show yesterday were the Sri Lankans, who are already 1-0 up in the three-match series.

Half-centuries from Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera helped the hosts make a strong start and they ended the day seven short of 300. Another massive first innings total in the series looks on the cards even though Sangakkara (75) and Jayawardene (56) failed to convert their starts into three-figure scores.

Forced to field first after losing the toss for the third time in a row, India's bowlers performed well in patches, with left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha the pick of the attack with two wickets for 78 in 26 overs.

The fifth-wicket partnership between Samaraweera (65 not out) and Angelo Mathews (26no) had swelled to 52 runs when play was called off due to bad light with three more overs to go.

India included leg-spinner Amit Mishra for the injured Harbhajan Singh while Suresh Raina, who scored a century on debut in the second Test, kept his place ahead of Yuvraj Singh.

For Sri Lanka, the fit-again Lasith Malinga and Chanaka Welegedara came in for Dammika Prasad and Dilhara Fernando.