In hour of triumph...

Indian cricket fraternity have hailed the team`s elevation to the top of the Test rankings but warned Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men that staying at the summit is always tougher than reaching there.

India beat Sri Lanka by an innings and 24 runs to clinch the three match series 2-0 and top the ICC rankings for the first time since its 2003 inception.

Former captain Sunil Gavaskar led the tribute but also reminded the contributions of former captains Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble in making the side a formidable outfit.

"Players like Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble made a lot of contribution. They are the guys who moulded the team. Their teammates imbibed fighting qualities from the Gangulys and Kumbles," Gavaskar said.

Individually, Gavaskar reckoned, Sachin Tendulkar would cherish the feat more than anyone else.

"I think Sachin was probably dying for this day. He started in 1989 and has completed 20 years in international cricket. He missed out on a World Cup when India lost the final in 2003.”

"Now this is a big moment for him. I would think this is as big as all his personal records," Gavaskar said.

According to him, reaching the top was hard but staying there would be even harder.

"Getting to number one is hard work. But they would have to work harder to stay there because others would try to knock them off the pedestal. They would have to be lot more consistent but it`s not beyond them. They have got the skills and talent and it`s application which is not always 100 percent," Gavaskar explained.

Asked if there was any area which India needed to address, Gavaskar said, "We still don`t have regular opening pair of bowlers. (S) Sreesanth is back, Zaheer (Khan) remains the spearhead and Ishant (Sharma) hopefully will be able to regain his spark and I hope he returns to form soon. If that happens, it would be good for India to have three new ball bowlers who can bowl well abroad.”

"In the spin department, (Pragyan) Ojha had a good debut series and Harbhajan (Singh) is also taking wickets," he said.

Asserting that India have to have a strong bench strength, Gavaskar said, "I believe bench strength is the true indicator of a team`s potentials. In the spin department, you have Amit Mishra too but I don`t see a top class off-spinner or a left-arm spinner on the horizon."

Like Gavaskar, former captain and now chief selector K Srikkanth also paid rich tributes to former captains Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble, saying they did an excellent job.

"Anil Kumble led the side ably and did a great job after Rahul Dravid had relinquished captaincy. As a bowler, I don`t need to comment on his performance."

"At the same time, you have to remember Sourav Ganguly. Ganguly was an attacking captain right from the start and even in his last series against Australia, his contribution with the bat was crucial for the team," Srikkanth said.

Former spinner Bishan Singh Bedi said it was a proud moment in Indian cricket and said Dhoni has been lucky to have proven match winners like Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan in the side.

"Congratulations to all members of Team India for their superb performance. They have made it possible. It has taken a long time for them. Right now, it`s a proud moment to cherish and not look at the shortcomings," he said.

"I would like to credit people like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag. They are the people like who have really combined the unit. They have really filled the gap. Dhoni to my mind is very lucky man to have all these greats under his command," he said.

"Definitely they can beat South Africa and Australia at their own home turf," he added.

Former spinner EAS Prasanna said the team needs to build on the recent success.

"It is a wonderful victory. It is gratifying to witness a great effort by the team especially since it`s coming for the first time in the history. There is going to be added pressure on the team now. We need to do lot of home work now on to sustain that position with the knowledge that other countries are also developing faster," he said.

Another former captain Ajit Wadekar said no praise is enough for Dhoni`s men given the consistency with which they have been performing.

"Dhoni and his men have realised the dream of past masters of the game like me. Each of us, who have played for the country had dreamt of achieving the feat of being world number one in Test. I congratulate the current bunch of Indian cricketers," he said.

"We have to sustain this position as long as possible. We have been doing well in international cricket but in recent times, we have been much more consistent, which has truly reflected on our top position today. As a past captain and Coach of the national side, I join the millions of Indians in congratulating the team effort of Dhoni`s men.”

Former pacer Javagal Srinath, who is now an ICC match referee, said the pace attack led by Zaheer Khan should be complimented for wrecking havoc on pitches which are largely unresponsive.

"They have grabbed the number one spot convincingly. In Kanpur they won it on a flat track. It was Sreesanth who won us the Kanpur Test and it is Zaheer Khan who has brought glory for Team India in the Mumbai Test," he said.

"India has been pretty good in these last 3-4 years. I am very pleased with the effort they have put in to become the number one Test side in the world. Now, I want them to continue with their good run and maintain the ranking for next couple of years," Srinath said.

Former batsman Ajay Jadeja said the team has clicked as a unit and no individual can be credited for the rise.

"It`s a great achievement by the team. Congratulations to Dhoni and his boys. Dhoni is as good as his team. The kind of team he has, it`s great. Had this team been not there, he would not have been that successful captain which he is today.”

"Dhoni appears to be leader and when it comes to leader, he is been fabulous and wonderful. You can`t say, it`s Dhoni, Sehwag or Tendulkar has become number one. But, it`s team India which has become number one and not any individual," he said.

Tendulkar is the best ever: Kiwis

CHRISTCHURCH: Mumbai Indians skipper Sachin Tendulkar is the choice for most of the New Zealand cricketers, who rate the batting maestro as the complete batsman of his generation.

In a survey conducted by New Zealand’s ‘Herald on Sunday’ newspaper, former Kiwi Test players John Morrison and Dipak Patel picked the Indian batting ace and were all admiration for his exploits all around the world in different conditions and various match situations.

“I’d go with Tendulkar. He is still the most capable batsman in the world. He has the full array of shots too, though he might not play them as freely as he once did,” Morrison said.

“I like Tendulkar because there are guys out there brilliant on certain types of surfaces but he is adept at playing on anything. Slow, bouncy, turning, whatever — he covers the field on all of them.

Dipak Patel echoed the same sentiment. “I like Gautam Gambhir and Graeme Smith at the moment but in the end, if they were batting for my life, I couldn’t go past Tendulkar. He’s got the experience, the sheer weight of runs and best all-round game.

Twenty years of Sachin, 20 best knocks

* 1. 114 vs Australia in Perth Test (1991-92): Acknowledged by the master himself as one of his very best Test efforts when, as an 18-year-old, he tackled Australia’s best on a fiery strip with confidence and composure.

* 2. 169 vs South Africa in Cape Town Test (1996-97): Routed for 100 and 66 in the previous Test in Durban, India needed a special from Tendulkar to save batting face, and the skipper responded with a telling assault on Donald, Klusener, McMillan and company.

* 3. 136 vs Pakistan in Chennai Test (1998-99): A true epic scored as he battled a cripping back injury and an inspired Saqlain Mushtaq. Almost took India to victory, but when he fell with glory beckoning, the bottom fell out. And Tendulkar cried, inconsolably.

* 4. 143 & 134 vs Australia in Sharjah (1997-98): Two knocks separated by a day, but completely interlinked. The first turbo-charged India to the final, the second destroyed Australia in the final.

* 5. 175 vs Australia in Hyderabad (2009): India were chasing 351 for victory, and looked out for the count when Dhoni was dismissed. Again single-handedly, after 20 years in the business, Tendulkar kept India afloat. Again, he couldn’t quite finish off things as India fell three short. Heart-breaking.

* 6. 98 vs Pakistan in Centurion (2003 World Cup): Pakistan had amassed a huge total, the pressure was on India and Tendulkar responded with a breathtaking assault on Akram, Waqar and Akhtar. No century, but the 98 was worth many, many more.

* 7. 119* vs England in Manchester Test (1990): His first Test century, made with India fighting to save the Test on the final day. Composed and poised, it was the 16-year-old’s first brush with superstardom as India came away with an honourable draw.

* 8. 103* vs England in Chennai Test (2008-09): The perfect answer to critics that said he hadn’t won enough Tests for India. A beautifully crafted century on a fifth-day track as India mounted their highest successful chase on home soil. The ton was, poignantly, dedicated to Mumbai.

* 9. 116 vs Australia in Melbourne Test (1999-2000): Saddled with a young and inexperienced line-up, Tendulkar once again stood out for his command and mastery, though it was another hundred in a losing cause.

* 10. 57 vs Pakistan in Sialkot Test (1989-90): Struck on the face by a Waqar delivery, Tendulkar waved away the physio, hit the next ball for four and went on to make 57. A match-saving innings in Sidhu’s company, a display of mind over matter.

* 11. 111 vs South Africa in Wanderers (1992): High on confidence and batting with the intrepidness of youth, Tendulkar drove SA ragged and forced the great Allan Donald to bowl with a sweeper cover in a Test match!

* 12. 140* vs Kenya in Bristol (1999 WC): Neither a great attack nor a particularly demanding test, but the situation made it special. He had airdashed to India for his father’s funeral, and returned to conjure a touching masterpiece.

* 13. 186* vs New Zealand in Hyderabad (1999-2000): The highest one-day score by an Indian to date, a day when he could do nothing wrong. A lesson in attacking batsmanship.

* 14. 49 vs Australia in Bangalore Test (2008-09): One ordinary tour of Sri Lanka, and the knives were being sharpened. With a determined innings on day 5, Sachin steered India to safety, and silenced the critics.

* 15. 241* vs Australia in Sydney (2003-04): Remarkable for the strokes he did not play. For the first 100-plus runs, the off-side didn’t exist because off-drives had proved his undoing in the first three Tests. A tribute to his mental strength.

* 16. 165 vs England in Chennai Test (1992-93): His first international hundred on Indian soil, more than three years after his debut. Brilliant strokeplay, and the innings triggered a continuing love affair with Chepauk.

*17. 155* vs Australia in Chennai Test (1997-98): Outfoxed by Shane Warne for four in the first innings, Tendulkar came out a man on a mission in the second, overturned a potentially decisive 70-run deficit and set up a stirring victory.

* 18. 44 vs West Indies in Port of Spain (1996-97): A low-scoring one-dayer on a spiteful surface, with Ambrose, Walsh, Rose and Bishop breathing fire. A counter-attacking knock that made batting look simple, though the Caribbeans’ greater depth carried them home.

* 19. 118* vs Zimbabwe in Sharjah (1998-99): Embarrassed by a lifter from Henry Olonga in the final league match that saw him caught at gully fending awkwardly, Tendulkar went out to bat in the final saying ‘either him or me’. No prizes for guessing who had the last laugh!

* 20. 117* vs Australia in Sydney (tri-series final, 2007-08): Once again debunking the theory that he doesn’t score in Cup finals, Tendulkar scripted an intelligent run chase as India completed their first tri-series triumph in Australia

169 Cape Town Test vs South Africa 1997

India were yet again in a familiar situation on an away tour; the South African bowlers had blown away the fragile top-order and at 58-5 the story looked more than just grim. The vistors were shot out for 100 and 66 in the first Test at Kingsmead, Durban, and a repeat looked well on cards. This until Azhar joined Sachin Tendulkar at the crease. Both the batsmen took on the bowlers and turned the firing the other way. While Azhar played at his carefree best, Sachin was more compact but no less grand.

103 Chennai Test vs England 2008

A record chase of 387 runs loomed at India in the fourth innings and while Sehwag's rocket-paced 83 runs set up the game for India, Sachin's unbeaten knock of 103 runs delivered the knock-out punch. It was a flawless innings which took the match away from the visitors. A determined Sachin reached his 41st hundred with a boundary which simultaneously brought India the winning runs. Overjoyed, Tendulkar leapt in the air, pumped his fist and relished a memorable win. All talk of him not measuring up in crunch situations looked like feeble excuses now.

98 vs Pakistan at Centurion, World Cup 2003

Perhaps the most famous of his ODI non centuries this innings ranks very high in the list of great ODI knocks for the sparkling manner it was compiled, the strength of the bowling and the big stage on which it was a fitting showpiece. As only to be expected the India – Pakistan clash generated frenzy worldwide particularly as it was the first clash between the two teams since June 2000. A crammed stadium and a TV audience implausibly guesstimated at a billion watched the tournament’s most talked-up match which lived up to its hype. Pakistan with Saeed Anwar getting 101 led off with 273 for seven in 50. Then as Wisden observed: ``Tendulkar played an astounding innings perhaps the best of the tournament and undoubtedly one of his best in ODIs.’’ Against a testosterone propelled pace attack (Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar) he hit a memorable stream of shots. By the 12th over India thanks mainly to Tendulkar’s pyrotechnics reached 100. Tendulkar went on to 98 from 75 balls with 12 fours and a six. After two wickets had fallen for 53, he dominated a third wicket partnership of 102 runs with Md Kaif (35) and by the time he was fourth out at 177 in the 28th over India were well on their way to an astonishing victory which was achieved with six wickets and 4.2 overs to spare. (Text courtesy: Partab Ramchand)

140 not out vs Kenya at Bristol, World Cup 1999

A century against Kenya should not normally figure among Tendulkar’s greatest innings but the circumstances surrounding the knock were rather extraordinary – and poignant. India’s campaign in the Worl Cup had just got underway when Tendulkar’s father passed away suddenly in Bombay. He rushed back for the funeral and even as speculation was rife as to whether he would play again in the competition. Tendulkar after missing one match was back for the next game against Kenya. Here is what Wisden has recorded: ``A passionate, awe inspiring display by Tendulkar kept India in the hunt for the Super Six. He had returned from his father’s funeral the day before and when he came in at 92 for two Bristol heard a roar from the crowd that probably startled the lions in the zoo.’’ India had made a shaky start losing both their group matches. Tendulkar provided the inspiration sharing an unbroken third wicket partnership of 237 in 29 overs with Rahul Dravid (104 not out). Tendulkar’s 50 came off 54 deliveries and then he accelerated bringing up his 100 off just 30 more balls. He flicked the last ball of the innings over mid wicket for six – his third in addition to 16 fours - to finish on 140 from 101 balls. It was his 22nd ODI hundred but the first when he was not opening. India scored 329 for two from 50 overs and proceeded to win by 94 runs. Tendulkar dedicated his then highest World Cup score to his father’s memory.

134 vs Australia at Sharjah, Coca Cola Cup final, 1998

The day of the final happened to be Tendulkar’s 25th birthday. He had already played a gem of an innings to steer India quite unexpectedly into the title clash. Could be pull off an encore? Australia again set India a difficult target scoring 272 for nine in 50 overs. India lost two wickets for 128 and then Tendulkar and skipper Md Azharuddin added 120 runs for third wicket. Batting in majestic vein Tendulkar went on to get a second hundred against the Aussies in successive matches and by the time he was out for 134 off 131 balls in the 45th over India had all but sewn up the match. He was third out at 248 after hitting 12 fours and three sixes. Azhar then fell for 58 but India were home with six wickets and nine deliveries to spare. Tendulkar’s back-to-back hundreds saw Warne in a touching gesture seek his autograph on his shirt. ``I was hit by the best batsman in the world’’ said the world’s best spin bowler and most famous adversary. Tendulkar’s reward for winning the trophy for India virtually singlehanded was an Opel car

143 vs Australia at Sharjah, Coca Cola Cup, 1998

The first of two successive master classes at Sharjah which have since been nicknamed ``Desert Storm.’’ Coming into the match India’s position was shaky. They had not fared very well in the tri series (the third team was New Zealand). In this last league match after the Australians had led off with 284 for seven in 50 overs India’s target was revised following a dust storm. The winning target was 276 but India by getting 237 would qualify for the final edging out New Zealand on superior run rate. As wickets fell at regular intervals Tendulkar guided India masterfully to their first target batting in commanding fashion against a bowling line-up that included Damien Fleming, Michael Kasprowicz and Shane Warne. After four wickets had fallen for 138, Tendulkar dominated a fifth wicket partnership of 104 runs with VVS Laxman. By the time he was fifth out at 242 in the 43rd over he had made sure that India would qualify for the final with a blistering 143 from 131 balls with nine fours and four sixes. India restricted to 250 for five from 46 overs lost by 26 runs but they still had a chance of scoring over the Australians in the final two days later thanks to Tendulkar’s brilliance.

82 vs New Zealand at Auckland 1994

An innings marked by blazing shots all round the wicket is also deserving of a footnote in Indian cricket history for this was the first time that Tendulkar opened the innings in an ODI. When the Indians went on their short tour of New Zealand early in 1994 Tendulkar was as usual firmly slotted in the middle order. But with regular opener Navjot Sidhu suffering from a neck strain Tendulkar offered to open the innings in the second ODI at Auckland. New Zealand were bowled out for 142 in the 50th over and such was Tendulkar’s brilliance that India reached their modest target in the 24th over with seven wickets to spare. Tendulkar just sailed into an attack that included Danny Morrison, Gavin Larsen, Chris Harris and Chris Pringle and hit 82 off just 49 balls. He put on 61 runs with Ajay Jadeja in nine overs and 56 in six overs with Vinod Kambli. He smashed three fours and a six off Larsen’s first over and by the time he was second out at 117 he had hit 15 fours and two sixes and the game was as good as over. Since then Tendulkar has stayed at the top of the order and going from strength to strength; only for very brief periods thereafter has he gone lower down the order.

103 not out vs England at Chennai 2008

Scoring a hundred in a successful fourth innings run chase was according to Tendulkar himself something he had wanted, the one achievement missing from his CV. Little wonder then that he rated this innings as ``up there’’ and ``one of the best’’ among all his hundreds. And it was no ordinary run chase as India were set a target of 387 – the highest successful attempt in a Test in Asia and the fifth highest in all Tests. The first of the two- match series started with England scoring 316 to which India replied with 241. With Andrew Strauss getting his second hundred of the match Kevin Pietersen was able to declare at 311 for nine late on the penultimate day leaving India a tough task. Virender Sehwag led the way with 83 off 68 balls with 11 fours and four sixes but the fall of Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman at regular intervals on the final morning put some pressure on the Indians. When Yuvraj Singh joined Tendulkar India were 163 runs away from their target and England seemed to have the edge with their balanced attack of Steve Harmison, Andrew Flintoff, James Anderson, Graeme Swann and Monty Panesar. But with determination writ large on his face Tendulkar did not falter and he and Yuvraj (85 not out) steered India to victory without further hiccups the master making the winning boundary hit that also brought up his hundred off 196 balls with nine boundary hits.

TESTS: 136 vs Pakistan at Chennai 1999

An innings that has gone down in Indian cricketing folklore. A gallant knock compiled under tremendous pressure on a last day Chepauk pitch in the face of a varied attack – Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Saqlain Mushtaq – ended up in vain as the support for Tendulkar was woefully inadequate. He was out for a third ball duck in the first innings but in the second came up with a master class that was constructed despite a painful back. India chasing 271 for victory lost five wickets for 82. Tendulkar had come in late on the third day with India tottering at six for two. It was not until Nayan Mongia entered that Tendulkar found some support. The wicketkeeper was content playing a supporting role and all eyes were on the maestro who braving the heat and the pain steered India closer to the target. The two added 136 runs for the sixth wicket before Mongia was out for 52. Tendulkar already well past his century got the total to 254. With four wickets in hand and only 17 to get it seemed that Tendulkar’s valiant effort was going to result in a famous Indian victory. However a tired shot from him – he holed out to mid off trying to hit Saqlain out of the ground – saw the end of his 405-minute vigil during which he faced 273 balls and hit 18 fours. The tail offered no resistance and India folded up for 258. It was a pity that such a sustained effort was not crowned with victory.

155 not out vs Australia at Chennai 1998

It was the first Test of the three-match series and it was being billed as a contest between Tendulkar and Shane Warne – the best batsman in the world against the best spin bowler in the game. The Aussie leg spinner won the first round by having Tendulkar caught at slip for four in the first innings. In the second innings Tendulkar turned the tables – and how! He entered at a crucial stage for India 71 runs behind were 115 for two early on the fourth morning. Rahul Dravid and Md Azharuddin helped him to figure in century partnerships for the third and fourth wickets but it was Tendulkar’s masterly mauling of Warne that was the cynosure. He treated the Aussie spin wizard like a club bowler at the nets by repeatedly hitting him for fours and sixes. When Azharuddin declared at 418 for four Tendulkar was unbeaten with a glorious 155 for which he batted only 191 balls and hit 14 fours and four sixes while Warne had the ragged figures of one for 122 from 30 overs. The hunter had become the hunted and a demoralized Aussie side was all out for 168 leaving India victors by 179 runs. Tendulkar’s breathtaking display was the last word in attacking batsmanship.

114 vs Australia at Perth 1992

Even though India lost by 300 runs this innings of Tendulkar is rated very high – and rightly so – because of the bouncy surface and the incessant pace barrage that he had to put up with even as his colleagues succumbed meekly. Australia had already gained a winning 3-0 lead in the five-match series and led off by scoring 346. Indian openers Kris Srikkanth and Navjot Sidhu were back in the pavilion with 69 runs on the board when Tendulkar came in. On a traditionally fast WACA wicket Australia unleashed their pace quartet of Craig McDermott, Paul Reiffel, Merv Hughes and Mike Whitney who gave the batsmen no respite with their speed and hostility. But while wickets fell regularly Tendulkar still some three months short of his 19th birthday not only stood firm but counter attacked brilliantly. India slid sharply from 100 for two to 159 for eight and it looked like Tendulkar would be left high and dry with a well deserved half century. Kiran More (43) however gave him able support for the ninth wicket and the two added 81 runs before Tendulkar was out. During his stay of 161 balls he hit 16 fours. It was reckoned to be a gem of an innings and over the years hasn’t lost any of its lustre.

Second youngest century maker in Tests

119 not out vs England at Manchester 1990 - He was just 17 when he became the second youngest century maker in Tests. And it was a ton which rescued India from defeat and steered them to an honourable draw. Set to get 408 runs for a victory in 88 overs India lost six wickets for 183 when Manoj Prabhakar joined Tendulkar playing in his ninth Test. There were still 2-1/ hours remaining and the odds were on an England victory. Displaying the temperament that was to become his hallmark over the next two decades Tendulkar held the England attack at bay with a disciplined show of immense maturity. Graham Gooch crowded the bat and shuffled his bowlers like a croupier but Tendulkar and Prabhakar carried on regardless adding 160 runs for the unbroken seventh wicket and at final draw of stumps India were 343 for six. As Wisden noted "Of the six centuries scored in this fascinating contest none was more outstanding than Tendulkar’s which rescued India on the final afternoon. He looked the embodiment of Sunil Gavaskar and indeed was wearing a pair of his pads. While he displayed a full repertoire of strokes in compiling his maiden Test hundred most remarkable were the off side shots off the backfoot. Though only five feet, five inches tall he was able to control without difficulty short deliveries from the English pacemen." For the record Tendulkar batted 224 minutes and hit 17 fours.