Chasing a huge total of 387 to victory, India registered a six-wicket win over England in the first Test of the two-match series at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Monday while Sachin reached his 41st Test century.
Star batsman Sachin Tendulkar with a sensational innings of 103 (not out) guided the team along with Yuvraj Singh who too remained not out on 85 to chase the winning total on the final day of the match.
However, it was the Indian openers – Gautam Gambhir (66) and Virender Sehwag (83) – who put a 117-run stand and gave a solid and smooth start to the batsmen to follow. It was, however, Sehwag who on his blistering and most unconventional style smashed 11 fours and four sixes before falling to Graeme Swann.
India started their final day from the overnight score of 131 for one and with an eye to score another 256 for victory. Although England bowlers managed to gain early breakthrough dismissing Rahul Dravid (4) and VVS Laxman (26), both Sachin and Yuvraj played a composed innings without inviting too many risks and ended up chasing a record total of 387 in the fourth innings.
Earlier on the 3rd day, England had declared their innings on 311 for nine with the help of twin tons by Andrew Strauss and Paul Collingwood both made 108 runs each and built a fourth wicket partnership of 214 runs. But India’s prompt run chase with a sensible partnership in the end sealed the victory for India.
Taking a 1-0 lead, India will go on to play the second and final Test in the series, which starts in Mohali on Friday (November 19).
India
First Innings: 241 (Dhoni 53, Flintoff 3-49)
Second Innings: 387 for 4 (Tendulkar 103*, Yuvraj 85*, Sehwag 83, Gambhir 66)
England
First Innings: 316 (Strauss 123, Prior 53*, Cook 52) Second Innings: Declared 311/9 (Strauss 108, Collingwood 108)
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