Sachin Tendulkar's search for his elusive 100th international century fittingly takes him to the Sydney Cricket Ground for Tuesday's second Test against Australia, an arena celebrating its own Test ton.The "Little Master" came close to achieving the unique feat with his fluent 73 in the first innings of last week's Melbourne Test, where India succumbed to a 122-run defeat.
But the SCG, hosting its 100th Test, is one of 38-year-old Tendulkar's happy hunting grounds. He has scored three of his 51 Test hundreds there in seven innings and averages an incredible 221.33 at the ground.
Tendulkar has been stranded on 99 Test and one-day international centuries since scoring 111 against South Africa in the World Cup in March, but the odds are stacked in his favour in Sydney this week.
"You really think cosmos, the Almighty and the Hindu gods were going to allow him to score it (100th ton) anywhere but the SCG?" SCG Trust chairman Rodney Cavalier said in half-jest. "These things are preordained."
Tendulkar's returns at the SCG make for a compelling argument: 148 not out (1992), 241 not out (2004) and 154 not out (2008).
Former India captain Sourav Ganguly said that based on Tendulkar's batting form in Melbourne he is "guaranteed" to get his missing century in Australia.
"He looked very solid at the MCG on a pitch which had a fair bit of help for the quicks. His feet have moved superbly, which is an indication that his mind is thinking the right way," Ganguly said.
"I can guarantee you that if he keeps batting like this he will make a major impact on the remaining three Tests and probably get past that magic landmark in this country."