Tendulkar provides captivating sub-plot to first Test Sachin Tendulkar, India's diminutive maestro, provides the most captivating sub-plot in the five-act play representing the first Test against England starting at Lord's on Thursday. The stage is established for Tendulkar to overtake one of the sport's glittering landmarks, the 29 centuries scored by Australian Don Bradman, the greatest batsman in the history of the game. A century at world cricket's headquarters would place Tendulkar second in the all-time list behind compatriot Sunil Gavaskar, who tallied 34. Bradman, who died last year at the age of 92, famously identified Tendulkar as the batsman he most resembled at the crease. Certainly no other player has endured the same idolatry and pressure to succeed from his compatriots. "I have scored 29 hundreds," said Tendulkar modestly. "To tie Don Bradman's record was very special, but it is the only time my name can be put next to his."

Zaheer aims to replace Srinath as pace spearhead India has produced just two fast bowlers with 150 Test wickets - half as many as neighbour Pakistan. Zaheer Khan aims to become the third, and if his teammates are to be believed, he also has the ability. "Zaheer has the qualities to take up the fast-bowling responsibilities from Srinath," Anil Kumble said. "He has his chance now to establish himself, and he has to take it." Zaheer, who only took up cricket at age 17, said most Indian pitches tend to help spinners, but that may change; venues like Mohali, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Baroda now offer hope to pace attacks. "It is tough bowling there but you can get the ball to reverse swing, which is what I work on a lot," said Zaheer. "There are a few of us coming through so things are changing." Hailing from a small town in the Maharashtra state, he entered the sport six years ago at a relatively late age. He was soon hooked. Zaheer played in Mumbai for three years, moved onto Baroda and in 2000 got his breakthrough with the India national team. He attended Lillee's MRF Pace Foundation for three years from 1998. "That transformed me and put me in front of the selectors," said Zaheer. "I soon learned how much effort a fast bowler should put in to play at the top level." "I learnt how important bowling the right length is in Test cricket," said Zaheer. "Srinath said you have to pitch the ball up and play with the batsman's patience, using the bouncer as a surprise."

Kapil Dev named Indian Cricketer of the Century Fifteen cricketers were nominated, but it was really always going to be a toss-up between the Big Three - Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev. Most staff at CricInfo India, running internal pools, predicted Tendulkar being named Wisden Indian Cricketer of the Century, if only for the publicity and glamour quotient associated with that most marketable of cricketing names. But Wisden followed its heart instead of its head. And so a man who ushered in the age of Indian fast bowling, a man who was as known for his whirlwind batting under pressure as for his 434 Test wickets, a man who captained India to her greatest triumph - the 1983 World Cup - was felicitated at a glittering ceremony at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday. Congratulations, Mr Kapil Dev. You thoroughly deserve it.

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