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Tendulkar: Test victory for terror victims

  • Story Highlights
  • Sachin Tendulkar leads India to six-wicket victory over England in first Test
  • Tendulkar dedicates his 41st Test century to victims of the Mumbai attacks
  • India complete fourth-highest successful Test run chase to reach 387 target
  • England made 316 and 311 for nine declared in their two innings in Chennai
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(CNN) -- Sachin Tendulkar cracked a superb 41st Test century as he swept India to a stunning six-wicket win against England in Chennai -- and then dedicated his heroics to the Mumbai terror victims.

Yuvraj Singh helped keep India on track for a historic win in the first Test against England.

Tendulkar raises an arm in triumph after his 41st Test century sends England crashing to defeat.

Set a daunting target of 387 just after tea on the fourth day, India sealed a famous triumph with 21 overs of the final day remaining to complete the fourth-highest successful run chase ever.

Asked whether his 103 not out mattered more than his other hundreds, PA Sport quoted Tendulkar as saying: "Yes, especially after what happened in Mumbai."

He added: "What happened in Mumbai was extremely unfortunate and I don't think by India winning or me scoring a hundred, people who have lost their loved ones will feel any better.

"It's a terrible loss for all of them and our hearts are with them, but whatever manner we can contribute to making them feel better we'll make that effort."

Tendulkar added: "From my point of view I look at it as an attack on India, not just on Mumbai. We're Indians and that is how I look at it and I'd like to dedicate this hundred to all the people who have gone through such terrible times."

The skipper also thanked England for returning to India for the two-match series saying: "We've witnessed a wonderful Test match -- people are enjoying cricket the way it's meant to be."

England captain Kevin Pietersen said: "The tragedy in Mumbai was not in the script and for both teams to play Test cricket, and to put on a display like they have done, I think they can be proud of themselves."

Resuming 256 runs away from victory on 131 for one, it took a 163-run unbroken partnership between Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh to secure what eventually became a comfortable victory for India.

Arriving at the crease just three overs after the start when Rahul Dravid edged Andrew Flintoff behind, Tendulkar paced the run chase chase brilliantly.

He finished unbeaten on 103 having spent over five hours at the crease withstanding everything England could throw at him while Yuvraj hit an unbeaten 85 in his comeback Test. "I dreamed one day I'm going to win a Test match alongside him (Tendulkar) and now I have done that," he said.

England earlier looked on course for a famous victory when Flintoff struck early in the day.

Tendulkar was given a testing introduction before he demonstrated his class by cutting the first of five boundaries on his way to his half-century.

Opener Gautam Gambhir, 41 not out overnight,, reached his half-century in the sixth over after two and a half hours at the crease.

It took a bowling change, bringing James Anderson into the attack as a replacement for Lancashire team-mate Flintoff, to end Gambhir's threatening 42-run stand with Tendulkar.

Hammered for 15 runs in just two overs the previous evening, Anderson tempted Gambhir into a loose shot outside off stump that saw him caught by Paul Collingwood in the gully.

That brought VVS Laxman to the crease for the remaining nine overs of the session, which he survived, but he played a loose shot fending off Swann just four overs after lunch and found Ian Bell at short leg.

England increased their levels of aggression as soon as Yuvraj arrived at the crease with captain Kevin Pietersen introducing Steve Harmison to the attack for the first time in the 34th over of the day.

Yuvraj responded with a superbly composed innings to claim a half-century and forge a match-winning partnership with Tendulkar.

Yuvraj even slowed his scoring to ensure Tendulkar could reach his 41st Test century with a sweep for four off Swann which sealed the victory and delighted the 30,000 crowd.

England now go to Mohali looking for a series-saving victory in the second and final Test.

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