For Kambli, it’s vada-pav no. 35

Amol Muzumdar, a team-mate since school, remembers travelling on the local for an evening show of Top Gun to celebrate a particularly blistering Tendulkar innings against rival school Anjuman-e-Islam. Today’s No 35 was a foregone conclusion. ‘‘He was always a star in school and knew his own stats, averages, and those of the cricketing greats by heart. So he knew exactly what he was aiming at and, watching him play, we knew we had a genius for company,’’ Muzumdar said after his fighting 100 for Mumbai today was overshadowed by news filtering in of a world-famous impending mark.

Paras Mhambrey has sterner—cherished nonetheless—memories of a shared Mumbai dressing room. ‘‘Playing Punjab in a Ranji final, I got a mouthful from Sachin during the drinks break after my line had drifted bowling to their batsmen. He wasn’t always vocal in expressing his demands but when that voice went a pitch higher, we knew we had to match his commitment,’’ says Mhambrey.

For Rohan Gavaskar, unfairly expected to give an insight into his father’s feelings, No. 35 was a treasure that Tendulkar had kept secure at home. ‘‘I’m glad an Indian still has the record,’’ he said, relishing the pedhas which appeared at Wankhede soon after.

Juniors’ day out

Arjun Tendulkar (5) didn’t dwell on the specifics of the world record, but knew there was enough cause for celebration as he lighted his sparkles and chose his favourite sweets from the many boxes that found their way to the Tendulkar household. Meanwhile Sarah just want papa to come home soon. Wife Anjali, who will leave for Delhi on Sunday, said that she had spoken to Tendulkar on Friday when he sounded mentally prepared to take a shot at the 35th hundred. Saturday’s record done over with, Sachin would now be a relieved man, said Anjali. (ENS)