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04-Jan-2011 11:35:00 GMT
South Africa v India, 3rd Test, Cape Town, 3rd day

Sachin Tendulkar Hits 51st Century, First in 2011

Cape Town: Batting genius Sachin Tendulkar scaled yet another peak in his glittering career when he scored his 51st Test century on the third day of the final Test match against South Africa at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town on Tuesday.

Tendulkar achieved the landmark in the second over after lunch when he top edged a Morne Morkel delivery that went over the keeper and the slips as South Africa opted for the second new ball.

The moment Tendulkar hit the shot, the entire stadium stood up to salute one of the true legends of the game.

This is his first century by an Indian in the year 2011 and the second (after Kallis in this match) by a batsman at the international stage.

With established top-order players like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman back in the pavilion, Tendulkar found an able ally in Cheteshwar Pujara who not only showed positive intent but also let the maestro play his natural game.

But Pujara fell in the first over after lunch, trapped leg before wicket by Dale Steyn.

On the second day, Gambhir and Tendulkar ground out the first century partnership of the match as India overcame the loss of two early wickets.

Gambhir (65 not out) and Tendulkar (49 not out) put on an unbeaten 114 for the third wicket to enable India to reach 142/2 at the close in reply to South Africa's Jacques Kallis-inspired 362 all out. However, Paul Harris dismissed opener Gautam Gambhir for 93 on Day 3.

The stand enabled India to stay in with a chance of winning a series in South Africa for the first time. The sides came to Newlands locked at one-all.


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