I like Gaurav’s post a lot better than what I wanted to write. But in any case, I can say that Sachin is back. And boy, it seemed like the old Tendulkar innings.

I hope this is not a blip and the 5-6 month rest has helped him take care of his brains and understand that he is the best.

I did not see it, and my brother and I exchanged a few SMS’es trying to see if this innings will make me sign up for the Willow TV broadcast. I don’t think so. Not yet. I have “given up” on Indian cricket and will continue to not support the team till they show up like this consistently. I am looking for the Indian team of the last World Cup and thereabouts, not the recent bickering, nonsense, political team.

Oh, and what a wonderful thing to see Rahul Dravid back to form also. Looks like now he knows that perhaps he is not a stop gap captain anymore. And that is allowing him the freedom to play normally, without any pressure.

And guess what - he was not the bridesmaid anymore. In his life, Dravid has almost always been overshadowed by someone else’s innings whenever he has performed. His debut with Ganguly, the famous Kolkatta test, etc. But this time, even though Sachin and Pathan scored big, Dravid got the man of the match award. Good for him.

Some comments from Dravid (from cricinfo):

On having Sachin Tendulkar back

It’s fantastic to have him back especially when he puts up a performance like he did today. It’s not easy to come back after four-and-a-half, five months out of the game. Physically also, it’s tough on you. He played a great knock for the team, batted for a long period of time. He suggested that we have Irfan (Pathan) up the order and that worked as well. So it’s just great to have him around, not just because of his batting but for his presence on and off the field. He didn’t look like he hadn’t played for six months.

On the team looking like a good unit

When you go out there and everything clicks for you – you get a good start, your bowlers bowl well and everything works, you look a great unit. When you score 350 and knock the opposition over, you are going to look a good unit. When you are having great success, it is not difficult to look like a good unit. Winning is the key. You also have to realise it is a seven-match series and we have just had a day where everything has worked for us.