Sachin Tendulkar's Test Record Faces Alastair Cook Threat

One of Sachin Tendulkar's many cricket records could soon be erased. England captain Alastair Cook is 36 runs shy of becoming the youngest batsman to score 10,000 Test runs.

Tendulkar was 31 years and 10 months old when he scored 10,000 Test runs. The landmark came against Pakistan in Kolkata in March 2005. It was the second Test at Eden Gardens and Tendulkar, batting at No. 4, had identical scores of 52 in both innings.

Man of the Match Rahul Dravid was in sensational form in that game, slamming centuries as India beat Inzamam-ul-Haq led Pakistan by 195 runs.

Later this month, Cook could surpass Tendulkar's record and the left-handed England opener has age and form on his side.

England start a three-Test series against Sri Lanka on May 19. The first match will be played at Leeds. Cook, who turned 31 last Christmas, will be five months younger than Tendulkar if he can get those 36 runs. Cook has 9,964 Test runs, inclusive of 28 centuries and 47 fifties.

Cook has been in good form in the County circuit. The Essex batsman has slammed three centuries in his last four first class matches.

Considering the fact that Sri Lanka are struggling in international cricket with a team in transition, Cook is on a good wicket to break Tendulkar's record.