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Tuesday, February 9, 2010

India tests first Test defeat after 15 matches..

While India crashed to a humiliating innings and six runs defeat against South Africa in the first Test in Nagpur on Tuesday, Sachin Tendulkar's managed to score a (100) defiant ton. Tendulkar's 46th century, his fourth against the South Africans and first at home against the Proteas, was the lone significant knock in the entire Indian innings. Tendulkar was lucky to see his glide off Parnell grassed by Jacques Kallis in the slip cordon, when he was on 45. Tendulkar subsequently was watchful but at the same time walloped the bad deliveries. He and Dhoni rekindled India's hopes with a steady 70-run partnership and the sparse crowd at the VCA Stadium roared in appreciation after Tendulkar reached his 46th Test century. Following on, India resumed on 66 for two this morning, but folded for 319 in their second essay to allow South Africa to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. It was South Africa's fifth Test win in India in 11 attempts. More importantly, it was India's first Test defeat in 15 matches. Since losing the third Test at Colombo to Sri Lanka in August 2008, India had won eight -- including the last four in succession and drawn six of its last 14 Tests. It was also M S Dhoni's first Test loss at the helm of affairs. Indian's captain had an impeccable (and flawless) record thus far, winning eight (and drawing three) of his 11 previous Tests since an injury to Anil Kumble ahead of the third Test (also against South Africa) at Kanpur in April 2008, handed him the leadership for the first time. Hashim Amla who scored 253 not in South Afirca's first innings, was named man of the match, while Dale Steyn who wrecked India's first innings, claiming seven wickets for 51 runs, was adjudged all-rounder of the match.

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