Tendulkar misses out on 100th ton

India collapse to leave England in command of first Test.

LONDON:

Sachin Tendulkar failed to score his 100th international century and his exit sparked an India slump as England seized control of the first Test.

India were 193 for five at tea on the third day, still facing a deficit of 281 runs and 82 shy of avoiding the follow-on.

Stuart Broad led with figures of three for 28, removing Tendulkar for 34 after dismissing openers Gautam Gambhir and Abhinav Mukund before lunch. The openers’ departure saw the visitors reduced to 77 for two as Tendulkar walked out to bat amid a standing ovation by 28,500 fans.

England struggled as Dravid and Tendulkar compiled a third-wicket stand of 81. But from 158 for two, India lost three wickets for 25 runs, losing VVS Laxman and Suresh Raina besides Tendulkar.

Rahul Dravid, who is known to be the wall in India’s batting line-up, was unbeaten on 59, with Mahendra Singh Dhoni on four not out.





Published in The Express Tribune, July 24^th, 2011.