India beat Pakistan by six wickets on the fifth and final day of the opening Test at Firoz Shah Kotla ground in New Delhi on Monday, as Anil Kumble made a winning start to his Test captaincy.
The hosts needed only 32 runs to win with seven wickets in hand to gain a 1-0 lead in the three match series. Sachin Tendulkar completed an attractive half century (56 not out) completing the formality with his 46th half-century.
Resuming at 171-3, India achieved their 203-run target after just 6.2 overs on Monday morning. Venkatsai Laxman remained unbeaten on six. Tendulkar, 32 overnight, was in punishing mood as he pulled fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami for fours early in the morning.
Tendulkar, 32 overnight, was in punishing mood as he pulled fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami for fours early in the morning.
Akhtar was the most impressive bowler, finishing with 4-58. He again bowled with fire, denying left-handed Sourav Ganguly a 50 in his second over.
India virtually wrapped up the match on Saturday when they stopped Pakistan from setting a challenging fourth-innings target. They dismissed the tourists for 247 after gaining a 45-run first-innings lead.
"This ground is very special for me," said India captain Anil Kumble.
Match Summary:
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat.
Pakistan 1st innings: 231 (Misbah-ul-Haq 82; A. Kumble 4-38)
India 1st innings: 276 (V. Laxman 72 not out; D. Kaneria 4-59)
Pakistan 2nd innings: 247 (Salman Butt 67; A. Kumble 3-68)
India 2nd innings: 203 - 4 ( W. Jaffer 53, S. Tendulkar 56 not out; S. Akhtar 4-58 )
Result: India win by six wickets.
Man of the Match: Anil Kumble
The two teams now head to Kolkata for the second Test starting on Friday, November 30.
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