In the twilight of a glittering career, Sachin Tendulkar’s love affair with Australia continues, today completing his sixth century in 16 tests on Australian soil.
Before today’s unbeaten 124 in the final test - leaving India well placed at 5/309 at stumps on day one - Adelaide had been a bogey ground for the little master. Tendulkar had scored just 122 runs in three tests, at the unusually poor average of 20.3.
“I know that Adelaide hasn’t been a great ground for me. So I was determined to get a big one here, Tendulkar said.
Tendulkar has now all but completed a box set of centuries on Australian test grounds. The ‘Gabba stands as the only venue Tendulkar played at and did not reach triple figures. A tough ask, given the last time India played a test in Brisbane was in 1991, the then 18-year old’s first test on Australian soil.
It would seem surprising that Tendulkar hadn’t cashed in here in the past, given his obvious talent and the supreme batting conditions on offer.
“It also happens to be Sir Don’s home ground, so even better.”
The 39th Tendulkar ton will go down as one of his more important, arriving at the crease with his side 2/87, then watching his side struggle to 4/156.
“When the team needs it, it means even more. I’m quite happy because there were some big shots in between and a defensive approach in the middle,” Tendulkar said.
“Brett Lee was bowling well, so it was important I played according to the merits.”
If history is anything to go by, there could be a lot more punishment in store for the Australian bowlers. Three of Tendulkar’s previous five test centuries in Australia have ended with Tendulkar unbeaten.
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