Sourav Ganguly scores 10,000 ODI run

Sourav Ganguly became the third batsman ever, after Sachin Tendulkar (13,642) and Pakistani Inzamam-ul-Haq (10,933), to reach the milestone.

Sourav Ganguly returned to the Indian team -and form - in fine fashion as he scored his 10,000th run in one-day internationals to become the third batsman ever, after Sachin Tendulkar and Pakistani Inzamam-ul-Haq, to reach the milestone.

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The 33-year-old, who achieved the feat with a single to cover off Dilhara Fernando, was returning to international cricket after serving a four-match ban and on the back of a string of poor scores.

The left-hander, who was eventually out for 51 (110 balls, 5x4s), opened the innings at his favourite opening position with Virender Sehwag after captain Rahul Dravid won the toss and opted to bat in this crucial triangular series match.

Ganguly ODI Batting Averages
	M	Runs	HS	Avg	100s	50s	Wkt	BB	BAvg	Ct
Overall	272	10018	183	41.18	22	60	93	5/16	36.64	94
vs SL	37	1333	183	38.84	4	7	11	4/21	43.54	17

Besides, it was a welcome return to form for Ganguly. His sequence of scores leading to Wednesday's match read: 0, 9, 4 and 18. In fact, his 51 at Dambulla was his first half-century since notching up 55 against Bangladesh in December last year.

Ganguly could have reached the 10,000-run mark earlier in the tournament had he not missed the first two matches because of the ban.

Ganguly, who also bowls right-arm gentle medium pace, now awaits a fine 'double' of 100 wickets. He had captured 93 scalps and if he takes seven more in this tournament, it will be an enviable all-round achievement by any standard.

Tendulkar has the world's best aggregate in one-dayers with 13,642 runs, followed by Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, who has a tally of 10,933.

	ODI Career Batting - Ten Most Runs
	Name		Mat		I		NO		Runs		HS		Ave		SR		100		50		Ct		Team
	SR Tendulkar		348		339		32		13642		186*		44.43		86.15		38		69		104		IND
	Inzamam-ul-Haq		344		320		46		10933		137*		39.90		74.24		10		81		102		PAK
	SC Ganguly		272		263		20		10018		183		41.18		74.15		22		60		94		IND
	ST Jayasuriya		335		326		15		9967		189		32.04		88.56		18		57		105		SL
	M Azharuddin		334		308		54		9378		153*		36.92		73.99		7		58		156		IND
	BC Lara		256		249		26		9354		169		41.94		79.50		19		57		106		WI
	PA de Silva		308		296		30		9284		145		34.90		81.13		11		64		95		SL
	Saeed Anwar		247		244		19		8823		194		39.21		80.66		20		43		42		PAK
	DL Haynes		238		237		28		8648		152*		41.37		63.09		17		57		59		WI
	ME Waugh		244		236		20		8500		173		39.35		76.83		18		50		108		AUS

The Bengal left-hander has now played 271 one-day internationals, scoring 10,018 runs. He has also cracked 22 one-day centuries and 60 half-centuries and held 94 catches (before Sri Lankan innings on Wednesday).

Ganguly has been most prolific against Pakistan, scoring 1,563 runs at 36.53, studded with 12 centuries.