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Sehwag elated on scoring century

     Kochi: India's opening batsmen and the hero of Kochi one-day match, Virender Sehwag has said that was in the best form of his life. Sehwag's reaction comes after he slammed his seventh one-day century in the first one-day match of a six-match series against arch-rivals Pakistan. Sehwag took just 95-balls to complete his 108 run knock, sharing a 201-run stand for the third wicket with Rahul Dravid. Dravid scored 104, as India cruised to an 87-run victory. The 26-year-old had aggregated 544 runs in the three-match test series last month, including scores of 201 and 173. Sehwag, who hit nine fours and three sixes, said the hot and humid conditions had caused problems but eventually gave him a major confidence boost. "To make runs in such tough conditions is a very thrilling experience and today in such heat to make this kind of runs has instilled a different kind of confidence in me. It is an experience," Sehwag said. Sehwag was fortunate to survive early when he was on 0 and 8. India captain Saurav Ganguly, however, was not so lucky.

     Facing calls from several quarters for his resignation after repeated failures with the bat, Ganguly stumbled to a first-ball duck. It was the manner of the dismissal, however, that made things worse for Ganguly, being bowled round his legs while trying to flick seamer Rana Naved. "It has been five or six innings now but I got to just keep trying. It happens when you play for such a long time but I am sure that I will get over it," Ganguly said. Despite his own problems, Ganguly was thrilled by his team's victory and said India would look to repeat the performance right through the six-match series. A disappointed Pakistani skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq defended his comparatively less-experienced bowlers saying it was the top order that faltered. "The bowlers have not performed badly. They restricted India to 280. I think the top order (batsmen) did not do well," Haq said. The next match will be played in eastern coastal city of Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.

Indians rejoice ODI victory against Pak (Go To Top)

     Kochi/Mumbai/New Delhi: Euphoric India burst into a wave of joy and excitement as ace cricketers Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid cracked centuries and Sachin Tendulkar grabbed a five-wicket on way to the team's emphatic 87-run win over arch- rivals Pakistan in the first one-day international at Kochi. Dravid and Sehwag shared a 201-run stand for the third wicket, rescuing the hosts after they were reeling at four for two on a flat wicket in hot and humid condition. Sehwag smashed nine fours and three towering sixes in his explosive 95-ball 108, while 'the wall' Dravid had six hits to the fence in his 104 off 139 deliveries to take India to 281 for eight. "It is a good thing that India has won the match. This will be a morale booster for our team as they had been following the defeat from Pakistan in the last test match," said Nitin, an overjoyed fan. "We want the Indian team to continue performing the way they have done today for the rest of the series as well. The way Sehwag performed today his form should continue. Sachin and Saurav Ganguly should also perform with the bat. He took five wickets today," added Sanjay, another fan. Pakistan made a promising start to their run-chase, Salman Butt hitting two fours in the opening over, but they lost wickets at regular intervals. The visitors, reduced to 64 for four, were looking to consolidate when Tendulkar got the wicket of captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, getting him for 37 with a quicker delivery. Tendulkar then used his occasional spin to send back all rounders Abdul Razzaq (5) and Shahid Afridi (8) in quick succession to take Pakistan out of contention. Much to India's delight he finished with figures of five for 50, the second five-wicket haul of his career, as Pakistan were bowled out for 194. "Though Sachin could not perform with his bat he did wonders with his bowling. Sachin always gives a good performance whether it is with the bat or ball," said Vicky, a school student eager to follow in the footsteps of is sporting idol. The next match of the six-game series will be played in Visakhapatnam on Tuesday.

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