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 Sachin Tendulkar hammered 72 off just 27 balls but that did not prove enough for an equally belligerent New Zealand as the Indians lost their tour-opening Super Max international match by 21 runs here today. Playing in the unique format of the game for the first time, the Indians did well to take the lead in the 10-over per innings match played under lights but lost way in the second essay.
India rested captain Sourav Ganguly and his deputy Rahul Dravid from the game but Tendulkar turned up the heat on the hosts by slamming a record 72 and picking up five wickets to be adjudged man-of-the-match. Tendulkar, returning to international cricket after missing the one-day series against the West Indies back home last month due to a hamstring niggle, thrashed his runs off only 27 balls with 10 fours, two eights and a twelve. He claimed the home captain, Chris Cairns, in both innings but it was not enough for the visitors.
New Zealand batted first on winning the toss and secured 123 for five on the board from their 10 overs but trailed the visitors by 10 runs in the first innings as Tendulkar showed blistering form with the bat. New Zealand seemed down and out when on 70 for five in the second innings with just two overs remaining to recover lost ground. But part-time off spinner Virender Sehwag then went for 31 runs in his only over to turn the tide in favour of the hosts.
A goodly crowd of 10,000 people gathered to have its first look at the famed Indian batting line-up and they were not disappointed. |
