India 5/311 in 85ov [SRT 88, Ganguly 54*; Johnson 3-68], Day 1 of the 2nd Test @ Mohali

[mcgillianaire]

A day of record-breaking achievements and other personal milestones. For a man who has been breaking cricketing records since the age of fourteen, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar might not have thought much of becoming the world's highest Test run scorer. But no, the Little Master responded with glee and the match came to a standstill as fireworks took over and the ground erupted with joy. Too bad it wasn't a full crowd because it was an achievement worth witnessing. Forty-seven runs later he then became the first Test cricketer to score 12000 Test runs. An awesome achievement. But lest we forget, between the two milestones his partner Sourav Ganguly, playing in his final Test series achieved a personal milestone of his own, as he overtook Sir Donald Bradman and became only the fourth Indian cricketer to reach 7000 Test runs. The Prince of Kolkata provided able support to Sachin who played some glorious off and on drives enroute to 88. Unfortunately, the 35 year-old veteran fell a dozen short of his fortieth Test century, but I suppose he can leave that milestone for another masterclass innings. Australia will be disappointed for letting India off the hook after sending four top-order batsman back to the hut with just over 150 on the board. It was certainly a day of two halves, as India go into the second day with half their wickets in hand on a peach of a batting strip. Kumble is not playing due to injury, paving the way for 25 year-old leggie Amit Mishra to make his Test debut. Personally, I would've gone in for a third seamer. Oh well, que sera sera. For now let's celebrate with SRT! JAI HIND!!!