Related Links : Sri Lanka in India 2009/10 | 1st Test Scorecard
After two solid batting sessions, India had an easy outing after Tea to secure a draw on a batting paradise at Motera. The hosts needed to bat just over 15 overs safely to nullify any chances of a Sri Lankan win.
Sachin Tendulkar was allowed to score a century by Skipper MS Dhoni although the match could have been called off at around 3:30 PM with the completion of 75 overs in the day’s play. The match got prolonged solely because of Tendulkar much to the disinterest of the Sri Lankan team. The Lankans showed their hidden anger by bowling way outside the off stump through Chanaka Welegedara and way down the legside through Rangana Herath. Tendulkar took his own time to get to the hundred and Laxman batted out plenty of harmless deliveries to bore plenty of people around. Sachin Tendulkar took about 45 minutes to move from 87 to his 43rd Test hundred and once it was done, the match was called off for a draw.
India finished the game at 412 for 4 having batted 129 overs. Tendulkar deservingly remained unbeaten on 100 (from 211 balls with 11 fours) and Laxman notched up his 40th test fifty. The biggest achievement for India is not to give a single wicket to Muttiah Muralitharan in the second innings despite bowling 38 overs! Mahela Jayawardene picked up the Man of the Match award for his 275. The two teams now move onto Kanpur for the second Test which begins on Tuesday.