Tendulkar thrilled to join 10,000 club

Sachin Tendulkar said he was thrilled to join the exclusive club of batsman to score 10,000 Test runs on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old India batsman moved past the milestone during his 52 in India's first day total of 344 for six in the second Test against Pakistan at Eden Gardens.

"I'm thrilled about it," Tendulkar said. "It is a reflection of the type of cricket I have played all the while."

Tendulkar, regarded among the premier batsmen in the world in the last decade, emulates compatriot Sunil Gavaskar, the first to reach the landmark, as well as Australia's Allan Border and Steve Waugh and West Indian Brian Lara.

"They are all in a different league and it feels very nice to join the club," he told reporters. "I hope it doesn't stop here. I want to carry on."

Achieving the milestone against Pakistan had special significance for the Mumbai batsman who made his debut as a 15-year-old against the traditional rivals in 1989.

"It has happened in a big series. Both the first run and 10,000 are equally important," he said.

"Ten thousand is just a figure, but sometimes figures make you feel very special. This is one of those days."

Tendulkar was unconcerned after failing to score his 35th century to achieve the record for most Test hundreds, which he jointly owns with Gavaskar. He was out for 94 in the first Test in Mohali.

"There is more to cricket and life than that," he said. "If I keep thinking it will never happen. I have gone out and tried as hard as I can for the last 15 years. If it happens, it will be a great feeling for sure.

"I go out to score a hundred in each and every innings. But it doesn't always happen."

Tendulkar has suffered a series of wear and tear injuries in the last few years and recovered from a long-term tennis elbow injury to play against Pakistan.

"It was not easy to get 10,000," he said. "It took a lot of hard work and sacrifice."

Rahul Dravid, who top-scored with 110 and was batting with Tendulkar when he reached the mark, urged his team mate to keep going.

"I told him 15,000 should be his real target," he said. "To score runs over that long a period of time is remarkable."