"Would Have Sounded Like Fiction": Sachin Tendulkar Lauds James Anderson For Completing 700 Test Wickets

Legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar lauded England's James Anderson for completing 700 Test wickets and becoming the first-ever pace bowler to do so, saying that a fast bowler playing for two decades and picking 700 wickets sounded like fiction but Anderson had made it happen. Anderson etched his name in history books on Saturday, becoming the first-ever pacer in the history of the sport to complete 700 wickets in Test cricket and overall only the third bowler to do so. The ageless English pace wonder, who will be turning 42 this July, achieved this milestone during India's fifth and final Test against England in Dharamsala.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Sachin talked about his first-ever impression of Anderson when he first saw him play against Australia back in 2002. The batter said that back then, his control over the ball looked special.

"The first time I saw Anderson play was in Australia in 2002, and his control over the ball looked special. Nasser Hussain spoke very highly of him back then and today, I am sure, he would say, "Maine bola tha" -- that he had called it so early. 700 test wickets is a stellar achievement. A fast bowler playing for 22 years and performing so consistently to be able to take 700 wickets would have sounded like fiction until Anderson actually made it happen. Simply magnificent! #INDvENG," tweeted Sachin.

The first time I saw Anderson play was in Australia in 2002, and his control over the ball looked special.

Nasser Hussain spoke very highly of him back then and today, I am sure, he would say, “Maine bola tha” — that he had called it so early. ????

700 test wickets is a stellar… pic.twitter.com/GijfRXYvoY

In India's first innings, Anderson managed to take 2/60 in 16 overs, at an