Pujara hit a fluent 72 as the hosts, set 207 runs to win on a wearing wicket, cruised soon after tea on the final day. Sachin Tendulkar, who hit a double-century in the first innings, remained unbeaten on 53 as India enhanced their reputation as the world’s number one Test side. Ricky Ponting’s Australia, preparing for next month’s start of the Ashes at home, slipped to fifth behind India, South Africa, Sri Lanka and England.
India followed their dramatic one-wicket win in the first Test in Mohali last week to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in front of 20,000 jubilant fans.
Tendulkar stamped India’s superiority by smashing off-spinner Nathan Hauritz for two consecutive sixes just before the tea interval. The world batting record holder was named both the man-of-the-match and the player-of-the-series for notching up 403 runs in four innings at an average of 134.33.
“I don’t count. Let the others count,” said Tendulkar when asked about his superb record this year in which he has already hit six centuries. “I just want to continue scoring. This series was a fantastic one for the entire team. Pujara showed tremendous character and his partnership with Murali Vijay was a very crucial one.”
The teams will now play a three-match one-day series starting in Kochi on October 17.
A disappointed Ponting admitted his team was outplayed by the hosts. “We have played reasonably good Test cricket in the series, but we were outplayed,” said the Australian captain.
“We needed to get a few early wickets today, we got one, but Pujara and Vijay batted well. The crowd here has been fantastic. We would like to thank the crowd for their love and support for Test cricket.” Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni also paid tribute to the large number of fans who turned up for the match on all five days.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 14th, 2010.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ