The master does it - finally

Sachin Tendulkar, with a superbly constructed hundred, guided India to a historic win against England in the first Test at the Chepauk. Chasing an improbable 387 on a wearing wicket, India actually strolled home with 6 wickets and plenty of overs to spare.


The Little master, for all his legendary exploits, had never before succeeded in seeing his side through to a tough fourth innings target - once falling agonisingly short at the same venue against Pakistan. He set the records straight this time around with a masterly exhibition of skill and temperament, guiding the vulnerable Yuvraj Singh through a tough period against the aggressive Flintoff and Co. It may not have been his most spectacular innings, but he rarely gave the England bowlers hope, playing with soft hands and picking up the singles almost at will. He allowed himself the rare luxury of an exquisite cover drive only once - against Panesar in the nineties. The fine paddle was used to telling effect, and fittingly this was the stroke which brought up his 41st century - and an emphatic victory for India.

The stage was set for the final day chase, on the previous evening, by a breath taking assault by Virendra Sehwag. Even so, his wicket late in the day appeared to hand back the advantage to England; and the early dismissal of Rahul Dravid (imminent end of another illustrious career ?) on the final day indicated tame surrender by India, as so often has been the case. But India ensured significant partnerships therafter for the third, fourth and fifth wicket - the last one between Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh being the most decisive one.

England will be shattered at losing a Test -and so tamely- they had in their pockets at lunch on the Fourth day. But they can be proud of their strong showing after the uncertainty which surrounded the Test series; just the fact that they were there to compete is a tribute to their character, whatever be the persuasive powers behind their decision to return for the Tests. English teams of the past would have simply kept away.

Andrew Strauss was brilliant with his two centuries, and appeared to have taken the game completely away from India in the company of Collingwood in the second innings. But England's refusal to attack let their opponents claw back after lunch on the fourth day, and then Sehwag upset all their calculations with his brilliant counter attack.

India is showing the world that it is now ready to challenge for the top spot in both forms of the game. They are getting accustomed to winning from tough positions. And once they succeed in that elusive search for a quality allrounder, India will really dominate.

However, one question keeps gnawing at the back of every cricket lover's mind; When the legend that is Sachin Tendulkar decides to retire (as he must, eventually), will Indian cricket ever be the same again?