Tendulkar Guides India Home
Tendulkar - 56 not out.
India drew first blood against Pakistan after completing a six-wicket win over their fierce rivals to take the first Test in Delhi.
Needing just 32 runs to win at the start of play, the home side wasted little time in completing victory in the morning session of the fifth day, although they did lose Sourav Ganguly along the way.
India had reaching 171 for three at the end of day four - which was curtailed due to bad light - with star duo Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar unbeaten on 48 and 32 respectively.
And Tendulkar was immediately into his stride when play resumed on Monday morning, pulling Shoaib Akhtar for four off the fast bowler's first delivery of the day before dishing out similar punishment to Mohammad Sami.
But Ganguly fell two short of his half century as he too tried to pull Akhtar only to top edge the ball straight down Sohail Tanvir's throat at long leg as the veteran failed to add to his overnight score.
That did not deter Tendulkar, however, as the Indian maestro carried on to his 46th Test half century with an excellent cut shot off Danish Kaneria, striking eight fours in his 106-ball effort.
And he sealed a six-wicket victory for Anil Kumble's men by repeating the trick off Akhtar, who ended the innings with figures of four for 58 from 18.1 overs.
Kumble was named man-of-the-match after picking up seven wickets and was obviously delighted with the victory.
"I think the boys responded really well, getting Pakistan out under 250 in both innings was really very creditable," he said.
"Also the partnerships between (VVS) Laxman and (MS) Dhoni, (Rahul) Dravid and (Wasim) Jaffer and Sachin and Ganguly were all very crucial.
"It was excellent to get into the groove right away. Three months is a long break at my age and I'm very happy with mine and the team performance."
Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik felt his side were made to pay for only making 231 in their first innings.
"On the first day we didn't bat well," he said. "Our bowlers put in the effort but we were about 100 runs short in the first innings I think.
"Shoaib (Akhtar) bowled really well and if India had to get more than 300 runs, it could have been different.
"If you want to win a Test you have to score 400 plus in the first inning and so we'll be looking to do that in the next Test."
The teams now move on to Kolkatta for the second of the three-Test series on Friday which Pakistan need to win to have any chance of claiming a famous triumph.
Original Link : http://www.cricket365.com/story/0,18305,6659_2921916,00.html
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