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Team India: Movers and shakers
Under the captaincy of Sourav Ganguly, India as a Cricket playing nation, is on an upward curve that few can deny.
Under the captaincy of Sourav Ganguly, India as a Cricket playing nation is on an upward curve that few can deny. History successes and wins in Australia in 2003 and in Pakistan in 2004 has set the ball roling. We briefly describe the newsmakers - Tendulkar, Sehwag, Kumble, Dravid and of course skipper Ganguly.
Sachin equals Gavaskar's 34 centuries
The gallant 17-plus who scored his first Test century at Old Trafford in September 1990 to save a match for India, took just over 14 years to touch the mark of one of his childhood idols. Sachin Tendulkar’s completed his 34th century at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in the first Test against Bangladesh in Dhaka.
Tendulkar, unbeaten on 159, needed 119 Tests to reach the landmark, while Gavaskar played 125 matches.
It’s no secret that pundits had predicted that his fellow Mumbaikar would be the one to cross Gavaskar’s mark. This thought gained credence each time Tendulkar crossed the three-figure mark over this 15-year career characterised with glory, fame, sacrifice and, of late, pain.
The sense of triumph after overcoming the pain, and the uncertainty induced by that was palpable on Tendulkar’s face after he reached the landmark. If he was ecstatic, he didn’t show it. The boyish smile that follows each time he gets the odd wicket wasn’t there. After scoring one of the most important centuries of his life, Tendulkar was a man with exceptional control over emotions.
“The first thoughts to have crossed my mind were of my (late) father. I looked up and thanked him. I know he would have been a happy man. I wouldn’t have been here without the support of my parents. I also thank my brothers and sisters, wife and children and coach.
All this wouldn’t have been possible had they not sacrificed everything for me,” Tendulkar let emotions beat his composure for a nanosecond, but regrouped as quickly. “I was 11 when this journey started. I used to stay with my uncle and aunt. They are all part of it. It’s a combination of all the sacrifices all these people made. I also thank my friends and well wishers. It’s been a great journey.”
