By IANS
Brisbane : Another feather was added to maestro Sachin Tendulkar’s cap Tuesday when he became the first man to aggregate 16,000 runs in One-Day Internationals (ODI).
Tendulkar, 34, reached the milestone during his 35-run knock against Sri Lanka in the rain-marred Commonwealth Bank Triangular Series at the Gabba. He now has a tally of 16,007 at an average of 44.21 in 409 matches. He has hammered 41 centuries and 87 half-centuries.
Tendulkar was associated in a 68-run opening-wicket partnership with Virender Sehwag (33). This stand made them the second Indian opening pair to aggregate 2,500 runs for the first wicket. They now have 2,539 at 43.03, including nine century stands and 11 half-centuries in 59 innings.
The Tendulkar-Sourav Ganguly pair holds the record for the first wicket partnership aggregate of 6,609 at 49.32 in 136 innings. They have been involved in 21 century and 23 half-century stands.
India’s total of 267 for four is their second best at Brisbane, next only to their 303 for four against Australia Jan 18, 2004. In Tuesday’s match, Sri Lanka never got the opportunity to reply as rains washed out the rest of the action.
But there was enough time for off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan to capture two wickets to take his tally to 60 (27.53) in 47 matches against India. He thus emulated Pakistani Wasim Akram’s feat (25.17 in 48 ODIs).
Only Chaminda Vaas, who went wicketless Tuesday, has taken more wickets than Muralitharan against India. In 54 games, the left-arm pacer has bagged 65 wickets at 30.09.