Tendulkar not out on 38
Mumbai: Iconic batsman Sachin Tendulkar kept his emotions in check and showed his genius for one last time in front of adoring fans with an unbeaten 38 as India seized early control of his 200th and final Test against the West Indies after a disciplined bowling display here on Thursday.
The 40-year-old maestro walked into the middle amid thundering cheers from the crowd and a guard of honour from his West Indies rivals as he showed glimpses of his vintage form to remain unconquered at the close of an eventful opening day of his last Test.
At stumps, India were comfortably placed at 157 for two after bundling out the West Indies for a meagre 182 by tea, riding on left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha’s five-wicket haul.
While Ojha (5/40) grabbed the spotlight in the first half of the day, it was the retiring legend, who held centrestage in the last session.
It was an abysmal batting display by the West Indians after being put in by Indian skipper MS Dhoni. The visitors lost eight wickets for just 89 runs in a single session much to the delight of the Wankhede crowd.
Kieran Powell (48) and Darren Bravo (29) were the only batsmen to put up a semblance of fight against the stifling line and length of the Indian bowlers, who utilised the conditions well.
India responded strongly with openers Murali Vijay (43) and Shikhar Dhawan (33) putting on 77 runs in quick time. The two were sent back by Shane Shillingford before Tendulkar and Cheteshwar Pujara (34) took control of the proceedings.
India, leading 1-0 after winning the first Test in Kolkata inside three days, were just 25 runs behind West Indies at the close, raising doubts whether the match will go the full distance.
Call him a picture of confidence or an epitome of concentration, Tendulkar was everything during his undefeated stay at the crease in which he faced 73 balls, hitting six boundaries.
A mistimed slog sweep got him off the mark and when Shillingford offered width, he rocked back to cut it past point for a boundary. Shillingford tried a doosra but Tendulkar read it early to hit that signature cover drive to reach 12.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul was celebrating his 150th Test, but he was dismissed for 25. (PTI)
SCORECARD
West Indies 1st inn:
C Gayle c Sharma b Shami 11
K Powell c Dhawan b Ojha 48
D Bravo c Dhoni b Ashwin 29
M Samuels c Vijay b Ojha 19
S Ch’paul c Ashwin b Kumar 25
N Deonarine c Vijay b Ashwin 21
D Ramdin not out 12
D Sammy c Sharma b Ashwin 0
S Shillingford lbw b Ojha 0
T Best c Dhoni b Ojha 0
S Gabriel c Dhoni b Ojha 1
Extras: (b-8, lb-8) 16
Total: (all out; 55.2 overs) 182
FOW: 1-25, 2-86, 3-97, 4-140, 5-148, 6-162, 7-162, 8-162, 9-172
Bowling: Kumar 17-2-45-1; Shami 12-2-36-1; Ashwin 15-2-45-3; Ojha 11.2-2-40-5
India 1st inn:
M Vijay c Sammy b Sh’ford 43
S Dhawan c Ch’paul b Sh’ford 33
C Pujara batting 34
S Tendulkar batting 38
Extras: (b-8, nb-1) 9
Total: (2 wkts; 34 overs) 157
FOW: 1-77, 2-77
Bowling: Sammy 6-0-27-0, Gabriel 6-0-32-0, Shillingford 12-1-46-2, Best 5-0-27-0, Samuels 5-0-17-0