Tendulkar calls the shots

Sachin Tendulkar celebrates his brilliant unbeaten century in Sydney © Getty Images

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Sachin Tendulkar’s sublime unbeaten century led India to a thrilling six-wicket victory over Australia in the opening match of the Commonwealth Bank Series final in Sydney.

Set a victory target of 240 thanks in part to Matthew Hayden’s 82, India secured the win in the 45th over when Mahendra Singh Dhoni found the boundary to hand the tourists the early initiative in the best-of-three final.

Tendulkar’s masterly 117 - his 42nd ODI ton - came off just 120 deliveries and included 10 boundaries.

The veteran opener was ably supported by Rohit Sharma, who contributed 66 off 87 balls to a fourth-wicket stand of 123 that proved the centrepiece of India’s successful pursuit.

The tourists made a solid start to their chase, Tendulkar and fellow opener Robin Uthappa putting on 50 before the latter fell for 17, superbly caught by a Mike Hussey, running it at deep square-leg, off James Hopes.

Gautam Gambhir was run out by Hopes two overs later and India appeared to be wobbling when Yuvraj Singh was bowled for 10 attempting to work Brad Hogg to leg.

Rohit Sharma helps add 123 for the fourth wicket with Tendulkar © Getty Images

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But any fears of an India collapse were allayed by Tendulkar and Sharma, who frustrated the Australia attack for more than 20 overs to lead the tourists from 87 for three to within sight of their target.

Hopes again made the breakthrough by bowling Sharma, but it was too little too late for Australia as Tendulkar and Dhoni saw India home with few alarms.

Earlier, Hayden hit 82 to help Australia recover from the depths of 24 for three.

Adam Gilchrist had made only seven when he mistimed a pull off Praveen Kumar to present Yuvraj with an easy catch at mid-on.

Ponting played on attempting to hit Kumar over midwicket and Michael Clarke was caught behind off Ishant Sharma to leave Australia struggling.

Hayden and Andrew Symonds carried their side past the three-figure mark, but Harbhajan Singh had the latter taken by Kumar for 31 as he hit over the top.

Harbhajan also picked up the wicket of Hayden, the opener’s sweep excellently held on the run by Piyush Chawla at deep midwicket, and Yuvraj removed Hopes for 15 courtesy of a faint edge as he forced off the back foot.

Hussey was run out for 45 next ball following a mix-up with Hogg, Dhoni relaying a throw from behind the stumps to Pathan at the non-striker’s end.

Though Brett Lee hit 17 off 10 balls, Australia’s total proved comfortably within India’s reach.

The second match of the series takes place in Brisbane on Tuesday.