Irrepressible Tendulkar, Pujara help India trounce Oz by 7 wickets to sweep series 2-0

BANGALORE - Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar scored his 58th half-century on the final day of the second and final Test match played here, as Team India smashed Australia by 7 wickets to retain their number one test spot and sweep the series against Australia 2-0 to retain the ‘Border Gavaskar’ trophy.

Tendulkar was adjudged the man of the match as well as man of the series for his sterling performances in the two Tests, where he scored over 400 runs.

“I think the series was fantastic. It was a great team effort and I congratulate Laxman, Ishant, Vijay and Zaheer for their tremendous performance in the series. Chasing 200 plus to win was difficult, but partnership with Vijay was a crucial one,” said Tendulkar.

“I don’t count how much I score, I just score and leave the counting to others,” he said.

Asked about whether he was finally over his injuries that have plagued him in the recent past, he said that though they still bothered him, their intensity was lost in the heat of battle.

“But once when you cross the rope and are fit, you want to give your best,” he said.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, who suffered a big blow ahead of the Ashes series, said despite a good bowling attack, the partnership between Tendulkar and Vijay was a crucial one.

“It has been a fantastic series. The partnership between Tendulkar and Vijay on the third day took the game away from us. We probably needed a few more runs. Pujara also played very well today and took the game away from us,” said Ponting.

“The youngsters in the team gained a lot of experience in the series. Shane Watson played very well for the team in both the test matches,” he added.

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni appreciated the crowd for their support through out the Test series.

“As a captain I have been unlucky to loss important tosses, but the bowlers have stepped up their performance every time and delivered for the team. The youngsters in the team are just incredible.

“Pujara got a good start today. He was unlucky to get out in the first innings. Batting with Sachin makes your work easier. Murali Vijay had good starts for the team and carried on well. Suresh Raina also rose to the occasion,” said Dhoni praising the efforts of the youngsters in the Indian team.

“I appreciate the bowlers especially Ishant Sharma. The youngsters in the team have done well whenever they are given a chance,” he added.

Needing 207 runs to win on a wearing wicket in a minimum of 77 overs, Team India was easily guided home by veterans Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Tendulkar remained unbeaten on 53, and Dravid on 21.

When Virender Sehwag fell early in the chase, the match seemed to be heading for similar drama as witnessed on the final day in Mohali, where the wounded 114-Test veteran VVS Laxman dragged his side over the line.

But debutant Pujara showed the kind of confidence expected only from an old hand, with a spectacular 72 earlier in the day.

The 22-year-old, who was awarded a Test cap only because VVS Laxman was injured, hit seven boundaries during his two-hour stint at the crease.

At the start, the Indian bowlers did a commendable job to bowl Australia out for 223 in 75.2 overs midway into the morning session. The Aussies lost three wickets with Zaheer dismissing Mitchell Johnson and Peter George while Sreesanth scalped Hauritz.

Zaheer had a spell of 5.2-1-9-2 while Sreesanth had 5-1-8-1.

Scorecard: Australia 1st innings: 478 in 141.0 overs, 2nd innings: 223 in 75.23 overs, India first innings: 495 in 144.5 overs, 207/3 in 45.0 overs (Cheteshwar Pujara 72, Sachin Tendulkar 53 not out; Shane Watson 1/20). (ANI)