Zeecric Bureau
Nagpur, Nov 06: At the post match press conference of an eventful day of cricket at the new Nagpur stadium, centurion Sachin Tendulkar said that his 40th Test ton was very satisfying because it came in the series-deciding fourth and final match against Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
"This match is very important in deciding the series and making a century in this match is very satisfying," said the ace batsman at the end of the first day`s play at the newly built VCA stadium in Jamtha.
Tendulkar made 109, his 10th ton against Australia and fourth in this city, before getting out at the fag end of the day after coming in when India were in some trouble at 116 for three before lunch.
He put on 146 runs with V V S Laxman, playing in his 100th Test, to pull the hosts around to a close of play total of 311 for five.
Tendulkar said India were in a good position now though ideally it should have not lost more than three wickets at close.
"We are in a good position. But we should have lost not more than three wickets. The wicket is helping the spinners and has some bounce too. We have an advantage in winning the toss but we need to put a good total and more importantly need to get the opposition out for a small score," he said.
Tendulkar said he was playing well without getting to three figures in the last seven games.
"I am batting well but three-figure innings eluded me. But that is not everything. I am more satisfied that on four occasions (in the period) I have played crucial innings and contributed to the team`s purpose," he said.
Tendulkar, dropped twice in the deep when on 85 and then 96 off debutant off spinner Jason Krezja, did not agree that the Australian bowler was unlucky and also said there were no specific plans for attacking him.
"I don`t think he was unlucky. There were no specific plans to attack him but we played the ball on merit," he said.
Tendulkar said the planned retirement of Sourav Ganguly after this match had not taken the focus of the team or the player himself.
"The emotions are under control. Even Sourav had not thought about it when he walked out to bat. Once you cross the line the thought process changes and the focus is there (on the immediate issue at hand)," he said.
He also did not agree with the view that after having crossed Brian Lara`s record for the highest number of Test runs at Mohali in the second Test, he`s batting more freely.
"I don`t think so. I have batted as per the situation and pitch conditions," he said.
The champion batsman complimented debutant opener Murali Vijay by saying the 24-year-old youngster, pitch-forked into the Test battle against the world champions, batted well in making 33 and putting on 98 for the first wicket with Virender Sehwag who made a quick-fire 66.
"Vijay batted very well. He looked calm and composed," Tendulkar said about India`s latest Test player.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the spectrum, debutant Australian off spinner Jason Krejza had two catches of Sachin Tendulkar dropped off his bowling on his first day of Test cricket, but sounded pleased overall with his end-of-the-day haul of three wickets in the fourth and final Test against India here today.
"It was good to have a chance to bowl. Initially I had a bout of nerves but kept it down. I have been here for six weeks (as part of the visiting team) and was prepared to play," he said.
"It was an enjoyable to get a couple of wickets. I couldn`t have asked for more," said the bowler who became a spinner after a stress fracture put paid to his hopes of bowling fast when he was 13.
Tendulkar was dropped at deep mid off when on 85 and 96 off Krejza before the Indian master batsman completed his 40th Test ton (109) on the first day of the series decider.
Krejza, preferred in the team in place of pacer Stuart Clark to take advantage of the track at the newly built VCA stadium that is already aiding spin, said he was prepared for the assault he faced from the Indian batsmen, especially Virender Sehwag, when he came on to bowl.
"I expected them to come after me in the first over itself. Once I got over it I managed to keep my head on my shoulders," said the Tasmanian player, who ended the first day with figures of 3 for 138 in an Indian score of 311 for five.
Krejza said he took advantage of some footmarks while ending up with a three-wicket haul.
"It`s a difficult pitch. Initially it was difficult to bowl on but there were a couple of footmarks that helped me. Still I had to be patient. There`s some spin and bounce (on the wicket)," said the player who has also played rugby.
