Sachin breaks world record

SACHIN TENDULKAR has broken Brian Lara's record of 11,953 Test runs.

Tendulkar reached the milestone off the first ball after tea on the first day of the second Test against Australia at Mohali, gliding the ball down to third man off debutant Peter Siddle.

After running three Tendulkar removed his helmet, raised his arms and looked to the sky, pausing for a moment before taking in the acclaim of the crowd and the Australian fielders as the deafening boom of fire-crackers lit up the sky.

A kiss of the badge and another long, gazing stare up to the Gods and absent friends, no doubt looking on approvingly at the man described by the legendary Don Bradman as the batsman most reminiscent of himself.

And so a billion Indians jumped for joy, the great man once more uniting the nation in triumph, broad smiles everywhere, from the poorest pauper to the richest billionaire, his status as a deity now beyond doubt.

• Cricinfo: Live ball-by-ball text commentary from Mohali
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