Team India wins Chittagong

India inflicted a 113-run defeat on Bangladesh in the first Test, with a session of play left on the fifth and final day, at the Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury stadium in Chittagong on Thursday Jan 21,2010.

Sachin Tendulkar was declared the man of the match for his masterclass effort (105 not out) in the first innings.

Chasing 415 to win, the hosts -- resuming at 67 for two overnight -- were dismissed for 301 in two sessions of play on day five, their best second innings total against the visitors.

Stumper Mushfiqur Rahim scored a valiant 101, an almost run-a-ball knock that comprised of 17 hits to the fence and one over it, in a late charge that helped Bangladesh reduce the margin considerably. But it wasn't enough to help them save the match.

For India, Amit Mishra and Ishant Sharma impressed with the ball, taking four and three wickets respectively. Zaheer Khan helped himself to a couple.

The win ensured India's unbeaten run extended to 13 Tests -- seven wins and six draws -- their last defeat dating back to August 2008 (against Sri Lanka ).

It also enabled the team celebrate their recently-attained top ranking with a positive result in the first Test since.

Stand-in India captain Virender Sehwag on Thursday lavished praise on his bowlers for the team's comprehensive 113-run win over Bangladesh in the first cricket Test in Chittagong.

Sehwag said after his side's famed batting order folded for 243 in the first innings, it was important not to let the hosts take a lead and the Indian bowlers stuck to that task, restricting Bangladesh to 242 in their first essay.

"It's nice to have a win in pocket. We were charged up after Bangladesh bowled us out under 250 in the first innings. The bowlers did a terrific job by not letting them take lead," Sehwag said after the match.

"Zaheer (Khan) and Ishant (Sharma) were outstanding with the new ball. Both Ishant and Zaheer were quick and got appreciable bounce from the wicket," he said.

The Indian bowlers did a tidy job in the second innings as well, bowling out the hosts for 301.

Sehwag was of the view that India would have to play consistently well if they desired to remain the number one Test team.

"We have to play good cricket all throughout if we have to stay at the number one spot," Sehwag said.

Man-of-the-Match Sachin Tendulkar also lauded the Indian bowlers for not allowing Bangladesh to dominate the match. "The bowlers fought back nicely and got them out for 242 (in the first innings) which was terrific," Tendulkar said.

He also said that his 44th Test century in India's first innings was a special one for him as it came at a crucial juncture and helped the team.

"The century was an important one because we lost wickets at that stage after a good opening partnership. The conditions were little difficult because the spinners were in action and the ball was also not coming onto the bat," said Tendulkar, whose unbeaten 105 pulled India out of the hole in the first innings.