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Kuala Lumpur, Sept 14: Sachin Tendulkar announced his return to international cricket with a masterly century that gave India a strong total of 309 for five against the West Indies in the DLF Cup tri-series cricket one-dayer here today. Tendulkar, who had been out of action since March after undergoing a shoulder surgery, smashed an aggressive 141 off 148 balls to put his side in a good position in the day-night one-dayer at the Kinrara Oval.
On a pitch of unreliable bounce, Tendulkar played an innings of high technical excellence to craft his 40th one-day hundred. If his 13 fours and five sixes showed the little master at his best batting form, the 41 singles and nine twos he ran proved his fitness beyond doubt. It was Tendulkar's first full innings for India after the third and final Test against England earlier this year at
Mumbai.
The champion batsman had batted a handful of deliveries in the rained out one-dayer against Sri Lanka at Colombo which lasted only 16 minutes and 22 balls in all. Irfan Pathan yet again showcased his batting prowess with a 64 that dominated the middle overs while Suresh Raina's 34, in combination with Tendulkar's improvisation, provided thrust in the final overs. Jerome Taylor, who took four wickets against Australia in the first match on Tuesday, once again was the best bowler with three for 64. (Agencies)
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