Mumbai: 

STAND UP FOR THE CHAMPION: Sachin Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh celebrate after the Chennai Test yesterday. Pic/AP

It was heartening to see a wonderful game of cricket being played at a time when the country is coping with the 26/11 attacks

The test match at Chennai, which concluded yesterday, was for Indians, the most memorable game ever played. Yes, India did beat England to clinch the first Test, but the real winner is the game of cricket.  

Everyone associated with this match is a winner. Three cheers to the English team, which returned to India and played the Test series, after the audacious attacks in Mumbai on November 26. Their sporting spirit helped fans overcome the fear instilled by terrorists.  

Well played
The Test match saw some of the best performances in recent times. Andrew Strauss was a winner for being the first English batsman to score a 100 in each of the two innings of a Test played against India on their home ground. Paul Collingwood's knock of 108 in the second innings was a delight to watch. Graeme Swann claimed to two important Indian wickets in his maiden Test match and he was a winner in his own way. 
 
Coming to our Indian squad, Virendra Sehwag's blistering knock of 83 of just 68 balls will never be forgotten. Without the contribution of the other Indian batsmen Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh this victory would not have been possible. And the icing on the cake was the century scored by Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar. In fact, Yuvraj deserves a mention once again for providing full support to Tendulkar, as he was inching towards the ton.

Yesterday's victory was the victory of Dhoni, his captaincy and his belief in his players.   

Behind the scenes
But most importantly, it was the victory of the security personnel who took all the precautionary measures to ensure a trouble-free game.

The crowd of 25,000 that thronged the Chepauk Stadium, overcoming the fears after 26/11, only to support their team is the winner.    

All in all, it is the gentleman's game that has won!

India's pride
Sachin Tendulkar's majestic unbeaten 41st Test century resulting to a win for India at Chennai yesterday, has indeed brought some joy and relief to all the gloomy hearts in Mumbai and the rest of India after the horrendous terror attacks. It was a great team effort .

Sachin, born and brought up in Mumbai, also had some great words to say for all our valiant cops and commandos who fought head on with the terrorists. They were truly touching. He certainly deserves a standing ovation from every follower of this game.

Lokhandwala