Some are blessed, they get what they desire; better put, they get what they decide to chase. Sachin Tendulkar, it’s almost evident, has set his sights on a special farewell for himself. Perhaps another century, perhaps not. And though numbers don’t matter at this stage, that’s what those at the Wankhede Stadium, those on TV and those hooked to their radio sets tomorrow will sleep thinking today.
At 38 not out and with the blessings of his mother in attendance, Tendulkar, along with Cheteshwar Pujara (34*), took India to 157 for 2 at stumps on day one of the second Test in Mumbai. But it was all possible after Pragyan Ojha’s 5 for 40 decimated the West Indies for 182 in two sessions.
Ojha and Ashwin (3 for 45) shared eight wickets between them as the West Indies went from 93 for 2 at lunch to lose their last eight wickets for 85 runs in the post-lunch session. Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay then provided India a foundation of 77 runs to set India on their way to a big first innings total.
The day began with a host of festivities that saw Sachin unveiling a number of gifts. There was a stamp on him released, a portrait gifted to him, Darren Sammy presented a West Indies jersey signed by his squad, N Srinivasan felicitated Sachin on behalf of the BCCI, a gold coin for the toss and much more.
But Tendulkar was quick to shift his focus to cricket after MS Dhoni admittedly “disppointed” the crowd by opting to field first on a juicy Wankhede track. Sachin then, wearing a special cap gifted to him by the team, led the team out to the field to begin his 200th Test – also the last game of his playing career.
Earlier in the day, it was an awful batting display by the visitors after being put in by Indian skipper MS Dhoni. The Caribbeans lost their last 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 show some fight against the brilliant line and length of the Indian bowlers, who utilised the conditions well. They looked out of sorts against both pace and swing of Mohammad Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar and also looked clueless against spin twins of Ravichandran Ashwin and Pragyan Ojha losing eight wickets for 89 runs in the post-lunch session.
The likes of Marlon Samuels, Narsingh Deonarine, Darren Sammy simply failed to grind the spinners as wickets fell at regular intervals. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (25), playing his 150th Test match, started off on a bright note but was removed by Bhuvneshwar with a nice away going delivery that was snapped up in the slips.
Ojha was pick of the bowlers grabbing 5 for 40 in 11.2 overs while Ashwin, who completed 100 wickets in Tests had figures of 3 for 45 in 15 overs to show for his efforts. Shami and Bhuvneshwar picked up one wicket a piece.
India responded strongly with openers Vijay (43) and Dhawan (33) putting on 77 runs in quick time. The two were sent back by Shane Shillingford in the same over before Tendulkar and Pujara took control of the proceedings.
Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/cricketnext/2nd-test-india-1572-at-stumps-on-day-1-tendulkar-38-not-out/434137-78.html