'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAb/2gAIAQEAAAAAsA//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAECEAAAAB//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA/9oACAEDEAAAAH//xAAgEAACAgAGAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEAAUSEyIxBhFB/9oACAEBAAE/AMoyOo1GrqNRgh3DHLBq5My+m6+AsMXfBN+5PNE2TxRyOzqmzJxBPWP/xAAWEQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAP/2gAIAQIBAT8ANlL/xAAXEQADAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIR/9oACAEDAQE/AKWH/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What a perfect finish to a historical day. Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar is playing his last Test match and team India is in a dominating position in the second Test against the West Indies. Overall, the Indian team have got a lot to boast about. Two wonderful centuries by Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma, plus West Indies losing three early wickets has meant that they have got to make a whopping 270 runs just to make India bat again. To be very frank, as far as the innings of West Indies is concerned, the only charm left is to see how far Chris Gayle goes.
The second day was full of positives for India. Obviously, Sachin played very well for his 74. I would like to appreciate the way Mohammed Shami held fort till the completion of Rohit Sharma’s century. It is always good to see the team work. Also, the commentators were appreciating the brilliant effort made by Chetsehwar Pujara. Even the bowlers were inspired and R Ashwin got two wickets late in the day. Pragyan Ojha also got one important wicket.
What appears fascinating is the fact that we have got a solid batting line up capable of taking on any challenge. After a very long time, we also have a balanced bowling attack consisting of pacer Mohammed Shami and swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, along with the R Ashwin and Ojha. But what is most heartening is the spirit of integration truly infused by the great captain MS Dhoni. Under his dynamic leadership, the young and energetic team India is really playing as a compact unit. It is wonderful to see the young players cheer each other despite having a healthy competition among them.
In fact, this spirit of healthy competition helps in sharpening the skill and the talent of all the players. Dhoni is behaving in a totally impartial manner and he has made it very clear that consistent performance is the only way to sustain a berth in the Indian squad.
Even though Sachin will not be there from now on, he would be very happy to see the solid foundation around which this team has been built. This Indian team is a strong bunch who likes to win and enjoy challenges.
If team India is able to develop into a strong Test side in the long run, it is surely going to please the fans. None more so than a fan called Sachin Tendulkar!
