It was my dream to bat with Sachin: Raina

After notching up a century on his debut, Suresh Raina said he was nervous when he took guard but Sachin Tendukar's pep talk helped him overcome the initial jitters.

Raina with his 120-run knock against Sri Lanka also became the first Indian cricketer to have scored a hundred in all formats of the game.

"Yes I was nervous when I came to bat but Sachin said 'just enjoy yourself, this moment will never come, you are playing your first Test match, just enjoy," Raina said after fourth day's play.

With Tendulkar, Raina raised a record 256-run partnership for the fifth wicket and said he realised a long time dream by batting alongside the legend.

"By God's grace I got this opportunity and it was my dream to bat with Sachin and today it came true. He said 'you are winning matches for the side in one-dayers, do well in Tests also and enjoy'," he said.

Raina came in the side in place of an unwell Yuvraj Singh and made full use of the opportunity.

© PTI, ~ Photo courtesy: AFP