Sachin blasts his way to 101 off 83 balls in practice game

Chennai, Sep 9 (UNI) Out of action owing to his shoulder surgery and a damp Sri Lanka tour last month master blaster Sachin Tendulkar showed signs of his ominous form hitting up a strokeful 101 off 83 balls with 12 fours and three sixes in 130 minutes in the second practise match of the Malaysia bound team India for the tri series.

Playing for India Seniors against the Juniors, Sachin, who was at the wicket for 130 minutes, did not show any sign of disomfiture and stroked the ball with his characteristic aplomb, to all parts of the ground. It was a typically aggressive Sachin in full flow, as he cut, drove, pulled and swept with elan.

Opening the innings with Rahul Drvid (44,46balls, eight fours) he helped the seniors pile up 339 for two in 45 overs as though sounding a warning for the Aussies and the Caribbeans with his nonchalant display. A fully fit Sachin fielded from the deep in the first practise match yesterday and was seen throwing the ball without any discomfort. Both he and Dravid also retired today and Virender Sehwag, who led India Seniors, scored 22 while Md Kaif and M S Dhoni too had good batting practise, the former hitting 70(63 balls with eight fou4rs) and the latter88 not out off 56 balls, eight fours and four sixes.

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