Wow.
Just wow. That was the only time I've ever cheered on seeing England beaten. Sachin Tendulkar has just scored the winning runs and simultaneously completed his (41st) century. An amazing performance from him and from India, achieving the 4th highest score ever to win a Test.
It would be churlish to complain about England's shortcomings just at the moment, although the scorecard will be obvious testimony to them. They can hold their heads up with some pride. They've taken part in one of the most wonderfully dramatic Tests, and have not disgraced themselves while being beaten by a clearly better team. Strauss's two centuries, only the second time such a feat has ended up on the losing side. Collingwood's re-establishment of his form -- when they were batting together, it really looked like England were favourites to win. The game was only tilted away from them by Sehwag's whirlwind of inspiration last night, but it was won for India by this nerveless stand between Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh (who played nobly to deny himself a century so his partner could get his).
It would be churlish to complain about England's shortcomings just at the moment, although the scorecard will be obvious testimony to them. They can hold their heads up with some pride. They've taken part in one of the most wonderfully dramatic Tests, and have not disgraced themselves while being beaten by a clearly better team. Strauss's two centuries, only the second time such a feat has ended up on the losing side. Collingwood's re-establishment of his form -- when they were batting together, it really looked like England were favourites to win. The game was only tilted away from them by Sehwag's whirlwind of inspiration last night, but it was won for India by this nerveless stand between Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh (who played nobly to deny himself a century so his partner could get his).