Australia vs India, 1st Final at Sydney, , Mar 02 2008 - Ball by Ball Commentary

RESULT
1st Final (D/N), Sydney, March 02, 2008, Commonwealth Bank Series
(45.5/50 ov, T:240) 242/4

India won by 6 wickets (with 25 balls remaining)

Player Of The Match
117* (120)
sachin-tendulkar
New
IND
Full commentary

India thoroughly deserved their win through Tendulkar's excellent century, his 42nd ODI ton, and eighth against Australia, but the first against them in their country.

Here's Ponting. "We were probably 20 or 30 runs short. The wicket held together really well. Another sloppy performance, not only from our batters but I thought our bowlers bowled as badly as they have all series. A good batting effort from Sachin, though.

On to Brisbane where "it's just about getting our heads right, a couple of the guys are disappointed with the way they got out."

Now here's Dhoni. "It was a good track to bat on. We got the wickets, that really put the brakes on the Aussie innings in the middle overs. The wicket was very exploited by Harbhajan and Piyush Chawla."

Ishant has done something to his blood vessel, he says, so there will be an update soon on that.

"It's always a pleasure to see him bat the way he batted," he says of guess who, yes Tendulkar. "He was batting well, running well, he carries the youngsters. If he is there in the middle then you won't have too much of trouble chasing whatever you're chasing. The whole team enjoyed the innings, but it's important to keep in mind too that games are yet to come."

Here's the Man of the Match, Tendulkar. "It was a terrific effort by the whole team. Rohit Sharma really batted well, full credit to him. He has a terrific head on his shoulders, he's calm and composed, and today I batted with him for the first time for such a long time.

"It was important today that the second half of the game we played well and that's what we did." He's got a groin strain. "The niggle has been there for a while. It's wonderful that I'm still able to get out in the middle and score some runs." Indeed it is.

So then, will you be joining us again on Tuesday for the second final, when a win for India will give them a series? Or will Australia bounce back? Come back then to find out, but in the meantime thanks for joining me today.

45.5
4
Hopes to Dhoni, FOUR runs

short ball, hooked round into the gap through square and that's a well-won victory for India

45.4
Hopes to Dhoni, no run

left alone outside off this time

45.3
Hopes to Dhoni, no run

outside off, flashed a drive, a play and a miss

45.2
1
Hopes to Tendulkar, 1 run

outside off, cut down to third man this time

45.1
1
Hopes to Dhoni, 1 run

short ball outside off, cut to the deep cover region

end of over 4512 runs
IND: 236/4CRR: 5.24 RRR: 0.80
Sachin Tendulkar116 (119b 10x4)
MS Dhoni10 (8b 2x4)
Mitchell Johnson 10-0-70-0
James Hopes 8-0-36-2
44.6
2
Johnson to Tendulkar, 2 runs

driven out on the back foot through backward point

44.5
Johnson to Tendulkar, no run

slower ball up there on off, pushed back out to Johnson

44.4
1
Johnson to Dhoni, 1 run

on leg, turned round to fine leg and they run through

44.3
4
Johnson to Dhoni, FOUR runs

a big full toss outside off, and cut hard again through the covers and the India fans are going crazy

44.2
4
Johnson to Dhoni, FOUR runs

outside off, punched hard through the gap at extra cover, Lee whistles off in vain pursuit

44.1
1
Johnson to Tendulkar, 1 run

outside off, cut down behind point

end of over 443 runs
IND: 224/4CRR: 5.09 RRR: 2.66
Sachin Tendulkar113 (116b 10x4)
MS Dhoni1 (5b)
James Hopes 8-0-36-2
Mitchell Johnson 9-0-58-0
43.6
1
Hopes to Tendulkar, 1 run

outside off, cut down off the back foot to wide third man

43.5
Hopes to Tendulkar, no run

wide and cut off the back foot to point

43.4
2
Hopes to Tendulkar, 2 runs

goes over the top with a drive to the covers

43.3
Hopes to Tendulkar, no run

driven back to the bowler

43.2
Hopes to Tendulkar, no run

short ball, straight, and ducked under

43.1
Hopes to Tendulkar, no run

defended back to the bowler

end of over 4311 runs
IND: 221/4CRR: 5.13 RRR: 2.71
Sachin Tendulkar110 (110b 10x4)
MS Dhoni1 (5b)
Mitchell Johnson 9-0-58-0
James Hopes 7-0-33-2
42.6
1
Johnson to Tendulkar, 1 run

swing in the air, outside off and turned off the legs behind square

Great shot by Tendulkar, his really has been a match-winning innings today

42.5
4
Johnson to Tendulkar, FOUR runs

outside off, stands on the up and drives hard on the up through the covers

42.4
1
Johnson to Dhoni, 1 run

on the legs, squeeze-clamped into short midwicket

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TEAMMWLPTNRR
AUS852260.769
IND833170.121
SL82510-0.949