India won the first final of CB Series

Sachin Tendulkar batted like a man possessed to play his most defining One-day innings Down Under on a memorable Sunday evening at the SCG. In doing so, he authored a decisive six-wicket victory for India over world champions Australia in the first triseries finals, besides scoring his first ODI hundred in Australia, taking his overall collection to 42. Te n d u l k a r (117 not out; 120b, 10x4) anchored India’s absorbing runchase, constructing an innings of great beauty and imagination. He received admirable support from young Rohit Sharma (66, 87b, 6x4), who was all grace under pressure, putting on 123 runs for their match-winning fourth wicket stand. There was some divine justice for Harbhajan Singh as well, as he knocked down both Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds to check Australia’s charge early in the day. Tendulkar’s majestic effort not only helped him get the monkey off his back, but it also erased some bitter memories of the SCG for his team. The players will now leave Sydney with a smile on their faces and a 1-0 lead in the series. The Australians gave everything in the field to make India’s run-chase difficult. But Tendulkar’s presence ensured that India did not falter during the chase. First Tendulkar and Robin Uthappa denied Brett Lee a wicket to give India a good start (50-0). But the match was back in balance once Uthappa fell to a magnificent athletic catch in the deep by Mike Hussey, and Gautam Gambhir ran himself out in a bad mix-up with Tendulkar. When Yuvraj Singh lost another battle to left-arm spinner Bradd Hogg, it was looking like anyone’s game. Tendulkar, however, was like a man on a mission, and with Rohit Sharma looking relaxed and excelling with his timing and placements India turned it on in style. Te n d u l k a r showed his class, executing two lofted hits over mid-off to Hogg and also two nicely timed overhead steers past a finely placed thirdman. This was in addition to his blazing cover drives and the delectable leg side sweeps and glances. Earlier, Matt Hayden (82) and Andrew Symonds (32) were at their aggressive best as Australia backed themselves to try and intimidate the opposition. However, once Harbhajan had the last laugh against them the Aussies lost their way.