Not thinking about Lara's record: Sachin

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Sachin Tendulkar needs just 172 runs to overhaul Brian Lara's record of 11,953 runs in the longest format of the game. However, the master batsman who already has the distinction of being the leading run scorer in the ODI format, says he is not thinking about the epic milestone all the time.

At present, the 35-year-old Indian stalwart, playing his 19th international season, has amassed 11,782 runs and is expected to get past the retired West Indian great Brian Lara’s milestone in the three-match Test series starting on July 23 in Colombo.

For the record, Tendulkar, who made his Test debut against Pakistan in 1989, has so far played in 147 Tests, scoring 39 centuries and 49 half-centuries, averaging 55.31.

Brian Lara, who retired at the end of 2006, made 34 centuries and 48 half-centuries in 131 Tests, at an average of 52.88.

The master blaster is on a comeback trail after a groin forced him to miss the last two Tests at home versus South Africa and, then, the tri-series in Bangladesh and the Asia Cup in Pakistan. He also missed the initial phase of the DLF Indian Premier League (IPL).

He top-scored with a breezy 69 in India’s only tour game against Sri Lanka Board XI that ended in a draw.

However, the senior most member of the Indian team has decided to play down the prospect of him becoming the highest run-getter in both forms of the game. “It’s not that I’m all the time conscious about those runs. I intend enjoying my cricket.” He told 'The Telegraph.'

Ironically, Sachin boasts of a tremendous record at the Sinhalese Sports Ground (SSC) – the venue for the opening Test. At an enviable average of 114.00, he has notched up three hundreds and one fifty from three Tests.

Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning captain Arjuna Ranatunga, who now heads Sri Lanka Cricket, admired Sachin for his brilliance. “There are no words to describe him. One just has to look at his record. He is the best batsman I have seen, “he was quoted as saying. He further added that Sri Lankan fans were eager to watch Sachin create history.