Sachin Tendulkar hit an unbeaten 103 as India scored a sensational six-wicket victory over England,chasing 387,in the first Test in Chennai which finished today.
On being asked whether this century mattered more than any of his other hundreds, Tendulkar replied: "Yes, especially after what happened in Mumbai. By no means am I saying this will make everyone forget what happened in Mumbai but I'd like to thank England for coming back and playing Test cricket and we've witnessed a wonderful Test match — people are enjoying cricket the way it's meant to be.
"What happened in Mumbai was extremely unfortunate and I don't think by India winning or me scoring a hundred, people who have lost their loved ones will feel any better. It's a terrible loss for all of them and our hearts are with them, but whatever manner we can contribute to making them feel better we'll make that effort."
"From my point of view I look at it as an attack on India, not just on Mumbai. It is an attack on India and it should hurt every Indian. It's not only for the people of Mumbai, it's for all of us. We're Indians and that is how I look at it and I'd like to dedicate this hundred to all the people who have gone through such terrible times."
Paying tribute to India's centurion, Pietersen said: "Who can write Sachin Tendulkar's script any better? The man from Mumbai came in and scored a sensational hundred today. He batted like a superstar. We tried everything we could but unfortunately he just came good. The boy played well."
India's captain, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, paid tribute to the man of the match, Virender Sehwag, who hit a thrilling 83 from 68 balls yesterday to put India on course for their unlikely win. Dhoni said: "We raised our standards and do not forget the playmaker in Virender Sehwag — without his innings we would have been defending this Test match. His innings gave Sachin and Yuvraj [Singh] the opportunity to win. Sachin was brilliant and Yuvraj amazing, because there was pressure."
Yuvraj admitted he had relied on Tendulkar's experience during his innings of 85 not out. "Sachin said to play your natural game because obviously he has played more Test match cricket than me," he said. "It is a dream come true for me. I dreamed one day I'm going to win a Test match alongside him and now I have done that."
Yuvraj (85 not out) and Gambir(66) also batted well.Still it was man of man of the match Virender Sehwag's explosive knock of 83 off just 68 balls yesterday that set up the victory.
Pics courtesy:Cricinfo.
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