India raced through the longish home stretch of 124 runs to register their first win in seven Tests. Anchoring the chase was Sachin Tendulkar, who overtook Rahul Dravid as the leading run-getter in chases, and rushing through it was VVS Laxman, who calmed any nerves there might have been after Dravid's wicket early in the day. Along the way Laxman crossed 1000 runs in chases, including an eighth score of fifty or more. This was also the third time since last summer that Laxman was in the middle at the successful completion of a 200-plus
Sachin Tendulkar's quest for a record 100th international ton continued, but India rode on his fluent 76 to script an admirable come-from-behind five-wicket victory over the West Indies with more than four sessions to spare on Wednesday
Chasing 276 for victory, VVS Laxman (58 not out) and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (0) were at the crease when India successfully completed the chase to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, on the fourth day of the match.
Off-spinner R Ashwin, who took match haul of nine for 128, including six in the second innings, also played a big role in India's triumph as he became only the third player to win the man-of-the-match award on debut.
Starting from his overnight score of 33, Tendulkar looked set to achieve the incredible feat of scoring his 100th international century till Devendra Bishoo spoilt his plan with a well-disguised googly, leaving over 10,000 spectators at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium stunned.
The champion batsman faced 148 deliveries and spent 201 minutes, 93 of them on Wednesday, during his stay at the crease. His knock was studded with 10 sweetly-timed hits to the fence.
Resuming at 152 for two and needing another 124 runs to win with eight wickets in hand, India lost Rahul Dravid (31) early on the fourth day.
But Tendulkar along with Laxman guided the hosts to 233 with a 71-run partnership before disaster struck some time before the lunch break.
India were just 43 runs away from achieving a hard-fought come-from-behind victory and take a 1-0 lead, when Tendulkar made his way back to the dressing room, much to the disappointment of the crowd.
But Laxman stood firm to guide the Indians with yet another half-century in the fourth innings of a match. He struck six boundaries and faced 105 balls.
This was the second best chase on Indian soil, equalling the one by the West Indies, incidentally at this very ground in 1987, when Vivian Richards stroked his way to a century to guide his team to victory.
The highest remains the 387 for four India scored against England in Chennai in 2008-09.
Tendulkar, who had completed 15,000 runs in this form of the game on Tuesday, kick-started the day on a positive note as he tucked Darren Sammy to the fine-leg boundary in the first over.
Chasing a target of 276, India reached the home on Day-4 with five wickets remaining.
Edwards gave the West Indies a glimmer of hope when he breached through the defence of Rahul Dravid with the one that jagged in a long way on landing, but Tendulkar was in his elements from the word go.
For India, master blaster Sachin Tendulkar topped the score with 76 runs. However, Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar missed the much awaited 100th International ton as he was dismissed by Bishoo for 76.
Before getting out Tendulkar smashed half-century to take India close to victory on Day-4 against West Indies. It was 8th fifty against West Indies and 62nd in Test cricket.
Tendulkar looked good for the monumental landmark as he hit boundaries at will and accumulated runs rapidly on Day 4 before young Bishoo got better of him. The master hit 10 boundaries in his 148-ball 76 knock.
Tendulkar also added quick 71-run partnership with VVS Laxman to lead the Indian run chase. The duo compiled runs rapidly as India went pass 200-run mark in the morning session of the fourth day quickly.
Tendulkar hit five boundaries to complete his 62nd Test fifty off 111 balls after India lost Rahul Dravid (31) early on Day 4.
Apart from Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag (55) and VVS Laxman (58 not out) gave vital contribution with the bat.
For West Indies, Darren Sammy claimed two wicket while Devendra Bishoo, Fidel Edwards and Samules scalps one batsman each.
West Indies pacer Fidel Edwards dismissed Rahul Dravid early on Day-4 of the first Test here at Ferozshah Kotla on Wednesday.
Dravid just added one run to his overnight total before bowled out on a brilliant yorker off Edwards.
The Kotla Test proved dream debut for R Ashwin. He took total nine wicket in the match, including maiden five-wicket haul. He was also adjudged 'Man of the Match'. He was the thirdman to get this award in debut match.
Earlier, Chasing a target of 276 runs, Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid have put India on driving seat on the third day of first Test against West Indies here at Ferozshah Kotla.
On the fourth day, India just needs 124 runs to win with eight wickets in hand. India were 152/2 at stumps day-3 and Tendulkar and Dravid were at the middle.
After 4-0 defeat in England, India have sniffed first victory here in Kotla. It will be a double bonanza if India register victory along with Tendulkar's 100th international hundred. Tendulkar needs 67 runs to complete his 100th Test ton.
However, the first session of the day-4 will be crucial. Both the batsmen will have to play with patience in the first hour. The ball is keeping low and slow and overnight dew will help West Indies bowlers in the first session.
Earlier, R Ashwin claimed his maiden five-wicket haul to reduce visitors for 180 in the second innings. Once again, Gambhir and Sehwag provided good start to India. Though, Sehwag once again failed to consolidate on good start and fell prey to Devender Bishoo after scoring 55 runs.
But, world's two most experienced batsmen, Tendulkar and Dravid, didn't allow West Indies to give further jolt.
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