Gavaskar likens Sachin's feat to Beamon's long-jump record

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar feels that Sachin Tendulkar's world record of 50 Test centuries can only be compared to legendary American long-jumper Bob Beamon's record-setting leap at the 1968 Mexico Olympics which stayed put for 23 years.

"Well, it's such a record that you can only compare it with Bob Beamon's long-jump world record set in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico. At that time it seemed that it would never be broken. Tendulkar's 50 Test centuries is one such records which doesn't look like being surpassed," Gavaskar said.

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However, Gavaskar who was the first Test cricketer to surpass the 10,000-run mark feels that Australia captain Ricky Ponting is the only one among current cricketers who has a realistic chance of getting close to 50 Test centuries.

"Ponting is a couple of years younger and if he can hit a purple patch like him, one never knows. Still 11 Test centuries is not easy. You have to score in every third Test match you play," he said.

When asked if he has found Tendulkar doing anything differently, Gavaskar said, "He has always adjusted his game according to situations. May be, change his backlift a bit. It's like a golfer adjusting his swing for optimum and better result."

A technician-par excellence himself, Gavaskar also gave a technical reason as to why Tendulkar has been in brilliant form of late.

"From what I have watched, he was opening his left shoulder at the time of the bowler's delivery. He was moving across and was being adjudged leg-before a few times. He is not opening his left shoulder any more," he told NDTV.