Tendulkar Century Puts India In Strong Position
Tendulkar celebrates his 39th Test century.
©REUTERS/Will Burgess (AUSTRALIA) Picture Supplied by Action Images
Australian players celebrate the wicket of Rahul Dravid.
©REUTERS/Will Burgess (AUSTRALIA) Picture Supplied by Action Images
309-5 (Tendulkar 124no, Sehwag 63, Laxman 51) v
Australia after day one in Adelaide
Scorecard
Australia lead the series 2-1
India closed day one of the fourth Test against Australia in Adelaide in the strong position of 309 for five after a dashing century, his 39th in Tests, from Sachin Tendulkar.
Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 124, having hit ten fours and three sixes from his 172 balls faced.
Tendulkar had never previously registered a century in Adelaide, the home ground of the legendary Sir Don Bradman.
"I know that Adelaide hasn't been a great ground for me. In '99 I scored 65 runs, but otherwise it hasn't been great ground," he said after the day's play.
"I was determined to get a big one here and it also happens to be Sir Don's home ground.
"When I was batting I was not thinking about that, I was just concentrating, but I am very glad to get a hundred here."
Virender Sehwag weighed in with 63, as he opened the innings with Irfan Pathan as India dropped Wasim Jaffer in favour of the extra bowler, Harbhajan Singh.
VVS Laxman, enjoyed more good fortune with the bat against Australia, scoring 51 as he and Tendulkar added 136 for the fifth wicket.
Australia, as expected, replaced Shaun Tait with Brad Hogg and Matthew Hayden returned to his spot at the top of the order.
Mitchell Johnson, by removing Pathan (nine) and Rahul Dravid (18) had India in some bother at 82 for two before Sehwag and Tendulkar counter-attacked.
Later, Saurav Ganguly also fell cheaply, lbw to Hogg for seven before Tendulkar and Laxman's partnership ensured it was India's day, despite Laxman falling thirteen overs before the close.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni was unbeaten on six; Brett Lee also picked up two wickets, those of Sehwag and Laxman, both caught behind.
Australia lead the series 2-1.
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