Sachin Tendulkar ended a prolonged run drought bycracking a world record-equalling 34th Test century as India maintained theirstranglehold by keeping themselves on course for a huge first innings lead inthe first Test against Bangladesh today.
Tendulkar overcame a shaky start before equallingcompatriot Sunil Gavakar's record and was unbeaten on 159 as the visitorsreached 348 for seven at close on the second day, taking a lead of 164 runs.
The 31-year-old star batsman's memorable moment camejust before the tea break when he took a single off paceman Tapash Baisya tojoin Gavaskar at the top of the century makers' list.
Tendulkar had his share of luck in the initial stagesbut settled down to exhibit his class with some glorious shots and steer histeam out of early trouble when they lost three quick wickets with just 68 runson the board.
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Anil Kumble, yet to open his account, was givingTendulkar company at stumps with India having taken a firm control of the game.
The hosts, who threatened to spoil India's party when they picked three early wickets, gradually conceded the advantage, thanks to some butter fingered fielding and lack of support to their strike bowlers Baisya and MashrafeMortaza.
For the Indians, it was second day on the trot to celebrate an individual performance following Anil Kumble claiming the 435th Test wicket to become the country's leading wicket-taker.
Tendulkar and Gavaskar are among the three batsmen to have 30 or more centuries, with former Australian captain Steve Waugh having 32 tons to his name.
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As did Gavaskar, Tendulkar too achieved the milestone in his 119th Test. And while the retired maestro was 37 years of age when he notched up his final hundred, Tendulkar is only 31.
The little master also became the third batsman after South Africa's Gary Kirsten and Waugh to have scored centuries against all Test playing nations.
But for all his feats, Tendulkar almost walked back to the pavilion without opening his account when his fierce pull shot off Mortaza nearly got stuck into Mohammad Ashraful at short leg.
The star batsman then snicked a rising delivery from the same bowler when on 28 but host skipper Habibul Bashar spilled the simple catch at first slip.
Another chance went abegging on 47 when a sharp turner from left-arm spinner Mohammad Rafique struck the shoulder of his bat but Rajin Saleh at silly point let it go.
Besides, Tendulkar also needed Gautam Gambhir to sacrifice his wicket after a mid-pitch mix up when the former was on 19.
But the batting genius, much like when scoring his 29th ton against the West Indies to be on par with Sir Don Bradman, fought the demons inside him and went on to play what could be a match winning knock.
Tendulkar faced 272 balls so far and hit 23 boundaries during his unfinished knock.
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Saurav Ganguly was the second highest scorer. The skipper was more solid in his 71 and added 164 runs with Tendulkar for the crucial fourth wicket.
In the end, Bangladesh would have been better placed had their fielders supported their bowlers.
The Bangladeshi seamers made the most of the morning moisture as play began half an hour early to compensate the loss of time yesterday.
Mortaza in particular, making a comeback after more than a year's gap from injury, had the Indian batsmen hopping on their feet.
Both Ganguly and Tendulkar ducked and weaved at his ferocious bouncers. Tendulkar was even hit on the helmet whenhe ducked at a short pitched stuff, prompting the locals, frustrated by the earlier reprieves, to let out a cry "in Australia, he would have been out."
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Mortaza was clearly the outstanding bowler from the moment he sent Rahul Dravid's off stump cartwheeling in the eighth over of the day, sending a shiver down the spine of the Indians.
Baisya struck the first blow when he rapped Virender Sehwag (13) on the pads in his third over but Dravid completely misjudged the line of Mortaza and let go a straight delivery at his own peril.
Tendulkar lived perilously during the entire morning session, and those in the Indian camp had their hearts in the mouth while he was taking the strike.
The batting ace, however, was determined to play his shots and his run graph covered all parts of the ground. There was the square drive, punched on-drive and the back foot square cut that marked his trademark aggression.
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Gambhir also looked quite comfortable before he was run out for 35. The Delhi left-hander had collected 14 runs off Mortaza at the end with the help of three fours -- a drive off the pads, a cover drive and a glance through the slips. Gambhir's 35 came from 50 balls and contained six fours.
Tendulkar, however, kept playing his shots and was particularly severe on the spinners Rafique and Manjural Islam.
PTI
