On this day in 2010: Sachin Tendulkar becomes the most-capped Test cricketer

Sachin Tendulkar has featured in 200 Tests thus making him the most capped Test cricketer. Not only is he the most experienced cricketer to play the game but also the leading run-getter of the format. In 2013, he hung his boots in his 200th Test which was against West Indies in Mumbai. However, it was back in 2010 that Tendulkar became the most-capped cricketer in the longest format.

Playing in his 169th Test

India went into the third Test om Colombo trailing 0-1. Kumar Sangakkara won the toss and elected to bat first. Thilan Samaraweera scored 137 not out. Along with fifties from Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka posted a healthy score of 437.

In reply, India were off to a good start owing to a breezy century from Virender Sehwag. The man of the occasion, Sachin Tendulkar, also contributed with 41 runs. He was dismissed by Lasith Malinga. With contributions from other batters, India almost matched Sri Lanka’s score as they finished with 436 runs.

In the second innings, Pragyan Ojha, Virender Sehwag and Amit Mishra claimed three wickets each. Sri Lanka could only post 267 thus asking India to chase 257 runs. On 4/62, India were in trouble. Tendulkar and VVS Laxman stitched a 109-run partnership. After Tendulkar’s fall for 54, Laxman carried the innings forward. His unbeaten 103 with Suresh Raina’s 41* helped India win the Test by 5 wickets.