Reuters
 
Mumbai, Mar 16: Sachin Tendulkar will surpass Kapil Dev's record for the most Test appearances by an Indian when he plays in the third Test against England starting on Saturday.

It will be Tendulkar's 132nd match and he will be playing at his home ground.

The 32-year-old batsman is under pressure, however, because he has not scored more than 28 runs in nine innings since completing his world record 35th Test hundred against Sri Lanka in December.

England captain Andrew Flintoff said there was always a run threat when Tendulkar was at the crease.

"We know with somebody like Sachin there is always a big score around the corner," Flintoff told a news conference on Thursday.

Tendulkar has made only 16, 28 not out and four so far in this series after compiling a total of 63 in three innings in the recent 1-0 Test series loss in Pakistan.

"I can't see him being a less of a force. So far we have been lucky to have kept him quiet."

Flintoff said the key to squaring the series, which the tourists trail 1-0, would be to dismiss Rahul Dravid early as well.

On Saturday the captain will become the sixth Indian after Kapil, Sunil Gavaskar, Dilip Vengsarkar, Tendulkar and Kumble to play 100 Tests.

"His nickname is The Wall. And he does take some getting past, doesn't he?" Flintoff said.

"He is a great example of how to bat. He goes out there and his tempo doesn't change throughout the entire innings. He just looks to bat on and on."