The 'hairy' tales of Sachin Tendulkar

Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar was seen in a new look with his curly locks coloured brown during India's practice session at the Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera on Tuesday.

This would be for the first time that the 37-year-old wonder batsman has coloured his hair brown and joined the likes of players known for colouring their locks which include India's most successful bowler in the World Cup with 15 wickets, Zaheer Khan who has a strip of blond coloured hair.

Another player who is know for his colourful curly locks is Lasitha Malinga from Sri Lanka.

Tendulkar was seen in the new look during the practice session here ahead of their quarter final match against defending champions Australia. The highest run scorer is on verge of another feat of his career.

History beckons

Tendulkar is one century short of completing 100 tons in international cricket (both Tests and ODIs).

The Motera stadium was the venue where two greats of Indian cricket achieved their biggest milestones. On March 7 1987, Sunil Gavaskar became the first batsman to reach 10,000 runs in Test cricket when he late cut Pakistan leggy Ijaz Fakih for a three at the Sardar Patel Gujarat stadium in Motera.

Seven years later, Kapil Dev broke Sir Richard Hadlee's record to become the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket at the same venue when he had Hashan Tillakaratne caught at forward short-leg by Sanjay Manjrekar.

Tendulkar who missed the feat during the team's concluding group B match against the West Indies last Saturday at Chennai would be looking forward to attaining the record of 100 tons in international cricket on Thursday against world champions Australia.

Ponting on backfoot
Australian skipper Ricky Ponting suggested on Tuesday that Sachin Tendulkar would not have walked against West Indies if he had seen the umpire giving him not out.

Ponting, under pressure due to poor form, did not walk in the league defeat against Pakistan despite a clear edge until he was ruled out following a review. Tendulkar's gesture in Chennai on Sunday won all-round praise.

“I think Sachin didn’t see the umpire’s decision. Had he seen it, he would not have walked,” he told a TV channel.

Ponting dismissed criticism about his captaincy. “All my on and off field actions are being overplayed. I’ve captained Australia quite well in this World Cup. I’m being criticised because I’m not among runs.”