SACHIN Tendulkar dedicated his brilliant century to the victims of the Mumbai terrorist attacks today after inspiring India to a stunning six-wicket victory in the opening Test against England.

The 35-year-old finished unbeaten on 103, the 41st century of his illustrious Test career, to help India reach their target of 387 with 20.3 overs of the final day remaining.

His five hours of defiance, forging an unbroken 163-run stand with Yuvraj Singh, completed the fourth highest successful run chase in Test history and the biggest fourth innings score ever at the Chepauk Stadium.

It was also a fitting finale to the first Test since the terrorist attacks on India's biggest city, which killed 181 people.

Asked whether this mattered more than any of his other hundreds, Tendulkar replied: “Yes, especially after what happened in Mumbai.

“By no means am I saying this will make everyone forget what happened in Mumbai but I'd like to thank England for coming back and playing Test cricket and we've witnessed a wonderful Test match - people are enjoying cricket the way it's meant to be.

“What happened in Mumbai was extremely unfortunate and I don't think by India winning or me scoring a hundred, people who have lost their loved ones will feel any better. It's a terrible loss for all of them and our hearts are with them, but whatever manner we can contribute to making them feel better we'll make that effort.”

Tendulkar, who completed both his century and hit the winning runs by sweeping off-spinner Graeme Swann for his ninth four, stressed: “From my point of view I look at it as an attack on India, not just on Mumbai.

“It is an attack on India and it should hurt every Indian. It's not only for the people of Mumbai, it's for all of us. We're Indians and that is how I look at it and I'd like to dedicate this hundred to all the people who have gone through such terrible times.

"I feel really happy and proud that I've been able to achieve something very special.

"It is something that every batsman dreams of, to finish the game in the fourth innings and to score big runs, and I've been able to achieve that today.

“This was something I wanted to do, score a hundred and win a match for India in the fourth innings. It is something I've wanted to do. I've scored hundreds in the second innings, but to actually win a match and play a winning shot is something I've wanted to do.

FOR A PICTURE GALLERY FROM THE FINAL DAY OF THE FIRST TEST CLICK ON THE LINK ON THE RIGHT    

“I'd rate this hundred as one of the best I've scored, and victory makes it even more special.

“I would put this one right up there, given the circumstances and the surface and the weather and the target. It wasn't a small target, and we were able to work around all the obstacles - so I would rate this as one of my top hundreds.”

England captain Kevin Pietersen admitted his side were desperately disappointed by the defeat - particularly after they controlled most of the match - but revealed he was proud of their performance.

“The boys are not happy in the dressing room, but I think both teams can be really proud with the way they have played Test match cricket over the five days,” he said.

“The tragedy in Mumbai obviously was not in the script and for both teams to play Test cricket and to put on a performance like they have done I think they can be really proud of themselves.”

Pietersen also revealed he played in the Test with a fractured rib sustained during the one-day series, but insisted his side's lack of preparation for the series would not be used as an excuse for the defeat.

“Seventy per cent of this Test was ours, we lost 30 per cent and lost the fixture,” he said. “Last time we were here we drew the series by winning the last Test and we've got one Test left here to try to draw the series.

“It doesn't feel great losing but I said before the Test we were not going to use any excuses for losing or not putting on a real good performance, but I think our lads put on a fantastic performance over the five days - I'm so, so proud of that dressing room.”

He added: “Who can write Sachin Tendulkar's script any better? The man from Mumbai came in and scored a sensational hundred today.

“He batted like a superstar. We tried everything we could but unfortunately he just came good. The boy played well.”

Pietersen, meanwhile, defended spinner Monty Panesar who has now finished wicketless in the second innings for the third time in the last six Tests.

“I'm all right with Monty, I've got no dramas with Monty,” claimed Pietersen, whose side need to win the final Test, which starts on Friday, to draw the series.

“People can nit-pick and talk about individuals and their performances but I think we win as a team and lose as a team as well.

“I'm not going to start picking out individuals and saying anyone is low on confidence or hasn't performed - we've just got to pick ourselves up for the next one.”

Click here for Chris Ostick's cricket blog

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