The 30-year-old 'Little Master' needed 36 runs at the outset of the Sydney Test to nudge past 9,000 in his 111th Test match.

At stumps he was unconquered on 73 with V.V.S. Laxman not out 29 and India 284 for three after winning the toss.

The most prolific batsman in modern cricket had failed to reach double figures in eight of his last 13 Test innings and ended 2003 with only 153 runs in five Tests at an average of 17.

It had been an underachieving series up to the Sydney innings and he passed his highest score of 44 posted in the second innings of the third Melbourne Test, which India lost by nine wickets last Tuesday.

Tendulkar fended off a challenge by West Indian Brian Lara (8,916) to reach 9,000 with Lara due to lead his team into the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town later Friday.

Australian Allan Border holds the world record for most Test runs with 11,174 in 156 Tests at 50.56.

Steve Waugh, who is playing his 168th and last Test in the Sydney match, is currently on 10,807 runs in second place at 50.98.

Tendulkar now has former record holder and Indian great Sunil Gavaskar in his sights with Gavaskar third all-time with 10,122 runs in 125 Tests at 51.12.