Half Century of Centuries in Centurion

Sachin Tendulkar reacts after scoring the hundred on Sunday. (AFP)

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Main rooun yaa hasoon
Karoon main kya karoon
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If you had missed out on the 'Live' action in the Supersport Park yesterday and took a loose glance at the score summary after Day 4,you'd think it was just another disappointing day with India still staring at an innings loss with only Jaydev Unakdat left to arrive in the middle.That is until a '107*' catches your eye against the name of a certain Tendulkar.

And suddenly the whole mood changes.No,your 'integrity' isn't being put to scrutiny.It's just you'll never be prosecuted for hero worshipping,when the hero is the flag bearer of the hopes of the Indian cricket fanatic for some two decades,and he has waved his bat and helmet in the air in which is not just yet another innings,but it is his 50TH such innings.Those fire crackers in my neighbourhood had every right to go up.

I myself did not have the good fortune of witnessing the very moment.Was minutes away from reaching home back from the coaching class,when a friend sent me a text informing that Sachin Tendulkar had finally touched the milestone after a wait of 3 Tests.When I left home last afternoon when Dravid and Tendulkar were out in the middle,probably like any other Indian fan,hoped that I would return to see the same pair batting.That was not to be.In fact,when that friend updated me that India were six wickets down at Tea,despite a relatively productive partnership between Tendulkar and Dhoni being on,it didn't need a soothsayer to make out where the match was heading.And yet,I bet every single cricket follower were tuned into what was happening in Centurion.

Also the 7th Test century by the Maestro this calendar year.He is now just one short of equaling the record of scoring most number of Test centuries in a calendar year,currently held by Mohammad Yousuf of Pakistan (8 centuries in 2006).And of course,with the total tally of international centuries going up to 96,he's just 4 short of the Century of Centuries,a feat predicted by Wisden more than a decade ago.

A friend on Facebook remarked,"A single shot by Sreesanth triggered a storm",when play was suspended due to bad weather conditions.Only such turbulent and persistent miracles can save India from a humiliating loss in the 1st Test vs. South Africa.But it's time again for the team to take the cue from the God of Indian cricket when it's game in Durban.