14 years later, Tendulkar plays the support cast

And you could see that he has bridged the two generations superbly from the way he played on Day One of the Multan Test. His unbeaten 60 off 144 balls clearly indicated a new facet in his game, which shows that he is willing to guide an impetuous Virender Sehwag and play the supporting cast. He walked in when Dravid had just fallen cheaply close on the heels of Chopra’s dismissal. And anything could have happened then.

But Tendulkar did not allow himself or Sehwag to become overwhelmed by the situation, and very wisely decided to hold one end up, offering the stage to the younger and the more adventurous Sehwag.

Sehwag must have reminded Sachin of his own first time out in Pakistan when he was a similar young man rushing out to hit the leg-spin of Abdul Qadir for four sixes. That very effervesence in Sehwag ensured that Tendulkar played the role as a senior pro to the hilt. It must have helped that they have put together some substantial stands in the ODI format too.

Right through the 183 run third wicket stand, Tendulkar was constantly seen talking to Sehwag and cautioning him from taking undue risks. Sehwag needs counselling at times, as he will admit himself, when he loses it suddenly and tries to go after everything. But today Tendulkar kept him in check, and forced him not to repeat the Melbourne mistake when he got out at 195 trying to slog-sweep Stuart MacGill.

‘‘Right through he kept talking to me and asked me to just stay at the wicket.’’ Sehwag would say about Tendulkar after the day’s play.

It certainly paid dividends, but from Tendulkar’s point of view, the job’s only started. He would be hoping that his fifth Test in Pakistan ends in an Indian win.