Tendulkar - One of my best

Ponting praises his injury-hit side after three-run win in Hyderabad

Last updated: 5th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Tendulkar - One of my best

Tendulkar: Smashing knock of 175

It just takes one false shot and you are back in the game, but Sachin didn't play too many false ones tonight

Ricky Ponting
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Sachin Tendulkar admitted his 175 against Australia in the fifth one-dayer was one of his best innings - even if the final result was "very disappointing".

The Little Master celebrated passing 17,000 runs in 50-over cricket with a dazzling innings that included 19 fours and four sixes.

However his 140-ball knock still wasn't enough to help the home side overhaul Australia's mammoth total of 350-4 in Hyderabad.

In the end India fell just short in their reply, meaning the tourists now lead the seven-match series 3-2. The next installment is in Guwahati on Sunday.

Constant pressure

"It was one of my best innings, I was striking the ball very well and we were chasing 351 so there was constant pressure," Tendulkar said.

"We maintained the run rate and brought the game close, but in the end it was very disappointing."

Asked how he keeps on churning out the runs in limited overs cricket, the 36-year-old replied: "The passion - I care about playing for India.

"It's always been a dream and I'm absolutely honoured that I've been able to do that for the past 20 years."

Australia captain Ricky Ponting was quick to praise Tendulkar's efforts, admitting he had witnessed something special.

"Sachin played beautifully," he said. It was one of the best knocks I've ever seen.

"We just had to keep hanging in there and I kept telling the bowlers to stick to their plans and to execute them well.

"It just takes one false shot and you are back in the game, but Sachin didn't play too many false ones tonight."

Remarkable

Having squeezed home in a frenetic finish, Ponting claimed Australia's victory was "remarkable" considering how many players they are missing.

The tourists handed a debut to seamer Clint McKay, who picked up 3-59, while Shaun Marsh made the most of being pushed back to the top of the batting order, hitting a maiden international hundred.

"It's remarkable considering the number of players we have had injured on this tour and we had a couple of our better players who didn't make the tour," Ponting added.

"When you take all those things into consideration, the way we are continuing to improve our cricket is fantastic.

"It is a great win for the boys and I am really happy to see some of the young guys doing well. It's really a good sign for the team."