Tendulkar praises 'focused' India

Sachin Tendulkar salutes the sparse crowd at Nagpur after his 40th Test hundred

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Centurion Sachin Tendulkar hailed India’s focus as they kept their emotions in check to finish day one of the fourth Test with a slight advantage over Australia.

In the build-up to the game, the final contest of a series which the home side lead 1-0, Australia captain Ricky Ponting claimed India would be distracted by Sourav Ganguly's imminent retirement, VVS Laxman playing in his 100th Test and the controversial ban on Gautam Gambhir.

But there seemed no loss in concentration as India, led by Tendulkar’s brilliant 109, moved on to 311 for five at stumps.

Laxman and Ganguly also starred, the former chipping in with 64 and the latter, in his final Test, closing on 27 not out.

“Emotions were in control," Tendulkar said. “Even Sourav wasn't thinking of all those things when he walked out.

"It was probably on his mind before he came out to bat but once you cross the rope, your thought process changes and you concentrate on the game and nothing else.

"He was focused today and so were the rest of us.

"I don't think I lost my concentration except for a brief while but once I got past that stage I wanted to stay till the end."

Tendulkar's last century also came against Australia - at Adelaide in January - but he insisted reaching three figures for the 40th time in Test matches did not present a mental obstacle.

“I've reached those critical stages several times after Adelaide and even in this series I was two or three times close to the three-figure mark,” he said.

"But I don't think that is everything.

"What is important is that I have been able to bat well although I have walked in to bat at crucial stages in an innings.

"It has happened three or four times in this series already.

"To be able to contribute to the team's cause is far more satisfying than achieving milestones and that is what I have been able to do in this series."

VVS Laxman drives on his way to 64 in his 100th Test

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Tendulkar, who was dropped on 85 and 98 and had another escape after surviving a run-out chance just after reaching his half-century, was pleased to have taken the momentum away from Australia, who were starting to threaten through debutant off-spinner Jason Krejza.

“Each century is a different one and it has its own importance,” added Tendulkar.

"Today I tried to get it in a little different style. I thought it was just about keeping cool and calm initially.

"I walked in at a critical stage and we had to make sure there was a good partnership.

"The momentum was with Australia at that stage and we had to make sure we took it away from them.

“You have to play the ball on its merits and each surface is different so you have to play accordingly."

Krejza finished day one with figures of 3-138 and Tendulkar admitted there was no plan to target the most inexperienced member of the visitors’ line-up.

“No, we did not have a specific plan for him," Tendulkar said. “I was just trying out shots.”

Although the home side have played themselves into a strong position, Tendulkar insisted there was still plenty of work to be done to assure them of the draw they require to win the series.

“I think it’s a good total, but there are four more days to go and we would want to be on our toes.

“The wicket is playing well, it’s a perfect track.

“There is a little help for the spinners and it has a bit of bounce, but I think it’s a good track.”