SACHIN Tendulkar has set a new record for the most runs scored in Test cricket, surpassing Brian Lara’s previous mark on day one of the second Test between India and Australia in Mohali.

The legendary batsman, aged 35, scored the remaining 15 runs required to overtake Lara’s record of 11,953 and now holds the records for the most prolific batsman in the history of both the Test and One-Day International formats of the game.

Tendulkar had to endure a nervy tea interval on 13 not-out, just one run behind Lara’s record, but stroked his first ball after the break down to third man for three.

The accomplishment was met with rapturous applause from the crowd, as well as warm congratulations from his team-mates and the opposing Australian fielders.

He went on to record his 50th Test match half-century before being caught by Matthew Hayden off the bowling of Peter Siddle for 88.

The iconic Tendulkar also holds the records of leading century-maker in both Test and One-Day International cricket and is ranked second in the all-time list of greatest Test batsman objectively compiled by Wisden, behind Sir Donald Bradman.

He averages just over 54 with the bat in Test cricket and is regarded as one of the greatest players to ever grace the sport by fellow professionals and fans alike.

Indeed, Bradman himself remarked that Tendulkar’s technical ability at the crease reminded him of his own style of play and in Shane Warne’s recent book ‘Century’, in which he lists the 100 players who have had the most significant impact on his cricketing life, Warne rated Tendulkar number one.

In overtaking Lara’s record, which the West Indian set in November 2005, Tendulkar has cemented his reputation as the finest batsman of his generation.

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