Equipped with every shot in the book and endowed with the flair to blend routine with recherche, Tendulkar grew in stature with ever game before eventually attaining cult status. Don Bradman anointed him as his heir and euphoric Indians fans deified him.

He did burn his fingers with captaincy before renouncing it but the aura and idolatry remained intact. Unlike others, his name is not debated in selection meetings. They just enquire about his fitness.

Loudmouth opponents like Australia refrain from sledging him, not as a favour but out of fear as it often brings out the best in Tendulkar. Bowlers fancy his scalp and whenever hit for a boundary, considers it comeuppance.

For his legion of fans, Tendulkar has been nothing sort of a messiah. Everytime he walked out in the middle and took guard, he was expected to excel, regardless of opposition, condition and everything else. And on most occasions, Tendulkar did just that and his cult grew.

His impeccable demeanor on and off the field and a childish love for the game have endeared Tendulkar to all, making him a genuine ambassador of the game. With this new feather added to his already well-decorated cap, Tendulkar is now in a league of his own.

PM praises Sachin

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hailed Sachin Tendulkar as a 'genius' after the master batsman eclipsed Brian Lara to become the highest run-getter in Test cricket.

"I congratulate Sachin Tendulkar on becoming the highest run scorer in Test cricket. Sachin is truly worthy of the mantle of the greatest run scorer in Tests. I have been following his cricket and there is no doubt that he is a genius."

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