OnThisDay – October 17: It’s been 17 years since Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar, universally hailed as the God of Cricket, etched his name in the history books forever. On that unforgettable day in Mohali, 2008, at exactly 2:31 PM IST, Tendulkar shattered the record for the most runs in Test cricket, overtaking the legendary West Indies batsman Brian Lara – a record many believed was untouchable.
This Day in 2008 – @sachin_rt surpassed Brian Lara to become the highest run-scorer in Tests 🙌🙌 pic.twitter.com/XoRTNF2zAs
---Advertisement---— BCCI (@BCCI) October 17, 2019
The Record That Seemed Unbreakable
Brian Lara’s tally of 11,953 Test runs came from 131 matches at an impressive average of 52.88. For years, it stood as the pinnacle of batting excellence in the longest format. But Sachin Tendulkar’s brilliance and relentless consistency rewrote the script.
Tendulkar crossed the 12,000-run milestone during the second Test against Australia at Mohali, eventually finishing his career with a staggering 15,921 runs from 200 Tests – a record that still towers over the cricketing world.
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The Mohali Moment: When History Was Made
The moment Tendulkar surpassed Lara’s record was electric. The crowd erupted in jubilation as Tendulkar’s bat sealed his place as the leading Test run-scorer. It took him 152 Tests and 247 innings to reach this feat, boasting an average of 54.03, even more remarkable considering Lara’s was achieved in far fewer matches.
The atmosphere was charged. Australian legends Ricky Ponting and Peter Siddle warmly congratulated Tendulkar, turning the moment into a celebration of greatness rather than rivalry. So intense was the crowd’s enthusiasm that play was briefly halted.
A Record That Stands the Test of Time
After reaching the milestone, Tendulkar went on to score 88 runs off 111 balls, forging a memorable partnership with Sourav Ganguly before being dismissed by Siddle. Nearly two decades later, no one has come close to challenging this monumental record.
England’s Joe Root, the current second-highest run-scorer in Tests, trails Tendulkar by over 2,300 runs, highlighting just how untouchable the Master Blaster’s legacy remains.
The Legend Retires but the Legacy Lives On
Sachin Tendulkar bowed out of Test cricket in 2013 after a glorious career spanning 200 Tests, cementing himself as one of the greatest sportsmen of all time. Though his bat is now at rest, his record and influence continue to inspire millions across the globe.
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