Sachin Tendulkar equalled Sunil Gavaskar’s Indian record of 81 First Class centuries on the third day of the Irani Cup match at the Wankhede Stadium here on Friday. When he reached 106, Tendulkar also completed 25,000 runs in first class cricket.
It was at the same venue that Tendulkar had scored 100 not out against Gujarat in his Ranji Trophy debut in December 1988. Then he scored 103 not out in his first Irani Cup match against Delhi in November 1989, again at the Wankhede Stadium.
He made 159 for West Zone in his first Duleep Trophy match against East Zone in January 1991 at the Nehru Stadium, Guwahati. Tendulkar’s maiden Test century, 119 not out, came in August 1990 in the second innings of the Manchester Test against England.
Gavaskar played for Andhra Chief Minister’s XI, Associated Cement Company, U-Foam, Vazir Sultan Colts, Bombay, BCCI President’s XI, Indian Universities, Rest of India, Rest of the World, Somerset, West Zone, World XI, India against county & other teams.
The break-up of 100s:
Sunil Gavaskar: Tests (34), Unofficial Test against Sri Lanka (1), Ranji Trophy (20), Duleep Trophy (6), Irani Cup (3), Rest of the World (1), Somerset (2) and others (14).
Sachin Tendulkar: Tests (51), Ranji Trophy (18), Duleep Trophy (3), Irani Cup (2), Yorkshire (1) and others (6).