India smells victory - Sachin completes 15000 ; Ashwin impressive with 6 for

History repeats itself – way back in 1987 West Indies chased 275 successfully and beat India here.  By a remarkable coincidence, it is the same target now.   This morning I had posted  that an Indian win is probable……

Now at the draw of stumps, Indians are in a position of safety, thanks to the rich haul by debutant Ravichandran Ashwin.  In the second essay, his 6 for 47 ensured bowling out W Indies for 180 and setting up of a target of 275.  His match figures of 9 for 128 is the second best match haul for an Indian bowler after Narendra Hirwani who as one would remember took 16 wickets in his sensational  debut at Chepauk on 11^th Jan 1988. In fact in the history of Indian cricket, only Hirwani, Ashwin, Abid Ali and Dilip Doshi have taken 6 wickets or more on their debut.

  

the glorious Sachin (photo courtesy : cricinfo.com)

There was another landmark for Sachin as he completed 15000 runs in Test cricket.    There are 3 Indians on the 10000+ club; Sachin has the most no. of runs, the best of averages and the maximum of 100s.  will the 100^th ton beckon him here is one Q. 

Player	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Ave	100	50	0
SR Tendulkar	182*	300	33	15005	248*	56.19	51	61	14
R Dravid	158*	275	33	12859	270	53.13	35	61	8
RT Ponting	154	263	28	12487	257	53.13	39	56	14
BC Lara	131	232	6	11953	400*	52.88	34	48	17
JH Kallis	145	246	38	11947	201*	57.43	40	54	10
AR Border	156	265	44	11174	205	50.56	27	63	11
SR Waugh	168	260	46	10927	200	51.06	32	50	22
SM Gavaskar	125	214	16	10122	236*	51.12	34	45	12

Rahul Dravid and Sachin are at the crease and another 124 to be scored /8 wickets at hand

With regards – S. Sampathkumar.