20 years

Sachin Tendulkar has become the 16th player in the history of the game to have an
international career spanning more than 20 years on Sunday but the champion batsman is still
well short of former English all-rounder Wilfred Rhodes's mark.

Tendulkar, who completed 20 years in international cricket tomorrow, occupies the 16th place in
the longest Test careers list. In his Test career spanning 19 years 143 days days till date, he has
represented India in a record 159 Tests.

Tendulkar reached the milestone of 20 years and one day when he comes out to play against Sri
Lanka in the first Test of the three-match series in Ahmedabad on Monday.

However, Tendulkar is unlikely to dislodge Rhodes from the top of the longest Test career chart
as the former English all-rounder has an unique record of representing his country for 30 years
315 days from June 1, 1899 to April 12, 1930. However, interruption in cricket matches during
the World Wars played a big part in Rhodes having such a long career.

Even though he occupies the 16th spot in longest Test careers list, the Indian batting great is
placed in the second position behind Pakistan's Javed Miandad in the longest ODI careers chart.

Tendulkar, whose ODI's career till date spans 19 years and 325 days, has represented
India in a record 436 50-over matches, while Miandad limited overs career lasted for 20
years and 272 days.

Veteran Sanath Jayasuriya is at the third sport in the longest ODI careers with the left-
hander representing Sri Lanka for 19 years and 275 days till date.

Tendulkar is also the lone playing cricketer to feature in the longest Test careers list
and it would be difficult for others to break this record, like his many other feats.

Incidentally, Tendulkar has also surpassed Sir Don Bradman in the over all longest Test
careers list. The former Australian batting great is at the 19th place with a career
spanning 19 years 262 days.