The Hindu : Sport : Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar complete centuries

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, May 20, 2007
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Sport

Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar complete centuries

Vijay Lokapally

COMRADES IN ARMS: Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly came up with centuries in the same innings for the fifth time.

CHITTAGONG: Thirty-sixth Test century for Sachin Tendulkar and 13th for Sourav Ganguly. Their celebrations were subdued, as if acknowledging the fact that there was not much to gloat about.

The second day of the first Test saw play reduced to a mere 20 overs due to rain and India, resuming at 295 for three, finished at 384 for six at the Bir Sreshtha Stadium here on Saturday.

Frustrating wait

Ganguly was 82 overnight and Tendulkar 80. They waited until well into the afternoon to walk out and accomplish a task they had begun quite diligently on the first day. Overnight rain once again caused frustration among the players and increased the task of the ground staff in the absence of a proper drainage system.

The day's play revolved around two of the most fascinating characters of Indian cricket. On five occasions they have scored a century each in the same innings, the last one coming against England in 2002 at Leeds.

But their exemplary concentration lasted only until they reached the landmarks, since both fell in trying to force the pace. Neither could be accused of indiscipline because the demand was to step up the scoring pace.

Ganguly top-edged and Tendulkar miscued. But it did not matter, for Mahendra Singh Dhoni strode in and got down to business without wasting time.

Ganguly's last century had come against Zimbabwe at Harare 21 months ago, while Tendulkar, who last hit a hundred 19 months ago against Sri Lanka at Delhi, ended a run of 17 innings without a Test century. Ganguly was obviously pleased and relieved with his feat.

His partner though seemed happier. Even as Ganguly sprinted the 100th run, waved to the dressing room and turned around, he was greeted by Tendulkar, who had walked the length of the pitch to convey his joy. Ganguly could not reciprocate the gesture on the pitch but was joined by Tendulkar soon in the dressing room.

Dhoni's cameo

Ganguly lasted 31 balls to add 18 to his overnight score and Tendulkar took 20 balls to compile 30.

But the day's best effort came from Dhoni — 6 off 35 balls with six 4s — in the face of some negative bowling. Twice he rose on his toes to smash the ball behind point in strokes that demonstrated enormous power.

Ganguly's innings lasted 165 balls and contained 13 4s and two 6s, while Tendulkar took 169 balls for his 101 with nine 4s; not their best performances in Tests but enough to indicate the comfort with which they batted on their return to the team after being rested for the one-day series here.

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