Milestone century playing on Tendulkar's mind: Hughes

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The hype surrounding his 100th international century is playing on Sachin Tendulkar's mind as he continues to miss the milestone, feels former Australian fast bowler Merv Hughes.

Tendulkar fell just 27 runs short of the feat when he was done in by a beauty from Peter Siddle that went through his gate and hit the stumps with the right-hander looking on course for a big knock in the first innings of the ongoing first Test against India.

"Everyone's making it (the record) a big deal and there's been a lot of media about it as he's been on the verge for so long. It's got to be playing on his mind, there's no doubt about that," Hughes said.

Hughes, however, was of the view that Tendulkar was at his vintage best during the knock.

"It's nine months since he's scored a hundred, that's like me not eating for two days," he joked.

"We've heard talk of choking...he batted really well, he was really positive, and then I suppose late in the day it looked as though he just shut up shop so he could be there tomorrow," the 50-year-old former pacer told Fox Sports.

Hughes compared Tendulkar's situation with that of former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, who gave a new life to his career with a gritty 62-run knock during the first innings.