Legends laud India triumph

Former Test captain Dilip Vengsarkar hailed India's run chase in the first Test match

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Former Test captain Dilip Vengsarkar was among a host of greats to hail the run chase which secured India’s victory over England in the first Test in Chennai.

India overhauled a mammoth target of 387 with six wickets to spare for the fourth highest successful run chase in Test history and the best ever in the subcontinent.

Sachin Tendulkar was the orchestrator of the triumphant pursuit, bringing up the win - and his 41st Test century - with a paddle sweep. The mercurial batsman also shared an unbroken stand of 163 with Yuvraj Singh, who finished unbeaten on 85.

Vengsarkar, who is a former chief of selectors, rated the win higher than India's highest-ever run-chase - 406 in Port of Spain in 1976, when Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Viswanath struck centuries as a Bishan Singh Bedi-led India side defeated Clive Lloyd's West Indies by six wickets.

"This is easily the better one," Vengsakar said. "It has come on a fifth-day track and with the ball turning square.

"This English side also had a far more balanced bowling attack than Lloyd's side."

Former skipper Gavaskar said the victory had showcased the fighting prowess of Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s team.

"It was a wonderful victory as 387 on a fifth day's pitch is not easy to get," Gavaskar said.

"But India did it and the way Tendulkar and Yuvraj built their partnership, brick by brick, was terrific. It showed the fighting qualities that India possesses."

Sandeep Patil, a hero of India's World Cup triumph in 1983, labelled the victory as the best ever and praised an all-round team display.

"It's a real shot in the arm for Test cricket," Patil said. "It's India's best in 75 years of cricket. What is more remarkable is that it's hard to single out an individual player to credit for this victory.

Sachin Tendulkar saw India to victory with 103 not out in the second innings

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"(Virender) Sehwag set up the match and Sachin and Yuvraj finished it off in fine fashion.

"Every player contributed to this historic win."

Patil also praised England for their courage and perseverance in making the decision to return to India.

England abandoned a seven-match one-day series after five fixtures due to the terrorist strikes in Mumbai and returned home.

Doubts had persisted over whether the tourists would return for the Test series due to safety concerns, but Kevin Pietersen and his men opted to travel after their safety was assured.

"I salute the England team for coming here despite the terrorists attack in Mumbai and then playing very positively for most part of this match," added Patil.

"Pietersen's bold and sporting declaration made this Test thrilling. Credit should be given to the Englishmen for the way they have conducted themselves on and off the field and for making this Test a memorable one."

Former captain and coach Ajit Wadekar said India's game plan had made them different from teams in the past.

"I think Sehwag's quick-fire knock gave the team a lot of hope," Wadekar said.

"Sachin's century changed the complexion of the game and then Yuvraj joined in.

"I think Yuvraj gained considerably by watching from the other end as Sachin batted.

"This is surely the best turn around in Tests in recent times.

"This is the beauty of Test cricket and it needs more matches of this kind."