xtratime Logo

[caption id="attachment_22974" align="alignnone" width="580"] Former India captains pose for a group photograph on the ocassion of 500th Test Match at Green Park. Image Source: Xtra Time[/caption] Internet Desk: It was a memorable occasion at Green Park on Thursday as the first test match between India & New Zealand also marked the 500^th test match by India. The journey that began in June 25, 1932 has seen some glorious past with as many as 285 players representing the country in test matches. The country has also seen 32 test captains leading the team. In order to mark the special occasion BCCI today felicitated as many as 12 former captains that included Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Ajit Wadekar,Dilip Vengsarkar, Md Azharuddin, Kapil Dev, Ravi Shastri, Krishnamachari Srikant, Sunil Gavaskar and MS Dhoni. Off these 500 test matches, legendary Sachin Tendulkar, has represented the country for a record 200 test matches, which constitutes for almost 40 per cent of the matches. In his career spanning 24 years, Sachin has played 200 Test matches for India. This is also the maximum by any cricketer in the world. The master blaster is arguably the best batsman in world cricket having scored the most number of runs in test cricket before retiring in 2013. He also holds the record of scoring the most test centuries (51) by any player in the history of test cricket. Tendulkar has also captained the Indian side in 25 Test matches between 1996 and 2006. On the occasion of 500th Test, Tendulkar said:"Being part of history, I would like to believe, we have also been able to influence the next generation and leave some impression behind." Sachin feels the current Indian team led by Virat Kohli has all the potential to carry forward the legacy. "We have a fabulous combination. The best part about all these players is that they are young and they will play for a while. I see this team playing together for 8-10 years and dominating world cricket," Tendulkar, who is here as a part of BCCI's 500th Test celebrations, told 'Star Sports'. The master blaster further added,"We have the firepower, balance is really nice. If we continue to stick to these players, obviously there will be few changes here and there, but if players are fit, in proper shape and condition, we have bright days ahead." Asked to comment on the future of test cricket in the country, Tendulkar said,"There has to be a nice balance between bat and ball. The balance is not right as it's too much in favour of batsmen, to be fair. In T20s, batters go after bowlers. 300 is no more a safe target in ODIs. There has to be a format, where bowlers dominate the bat." Tendulkar termed the Kanpur wicket as “typical Kanpur wicket” and feels it will be very tough for the Kiwi batsmen to bat fourth in this wicket. "New Zealand will bat fourth in match. It is a positive sign. Test cricket is about knowing when to pace up, when to slow down, how to play a full match for five days," he said.