Tendulkar ton puts India on top

Sachin Tendulkar improved his world record with his 40th test century as India took a marginal advantage over Australia after Thursday's opening day of the series-deciding fourth test.

Tendulkar's 109 from 188 balls was the fulcrum of India's 311-5 stumps score, which put the hosts in a good position to secure the result it needs to maintain or improve its current 1-0 series lead and take the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

He shared a 146-run partnership with V.V.S Laxman for the fourth wicket that steadied the innings after the top order lost three quick wickets shortly before lunch.

Tendulkar, who holds the world run-scoring record with 12,261, played the Australian attack comfortably until he neared his first century of the series.

The Australians missed two chances to remove the right-hander when Mitchell Johnson dropped him on 85 and Brett Lee spilled a tough chance on 96. Both chances came when Tendulkar tried to slog debutant offspinner Jason Krejza over mid-off.

Tendulkar then spent 12 balls on 99 before cutting Krejza for four to bring up his 10th hundred against Australia.

He reached the milestone from 166 deliveries, with 12 fours, and celebrated by raising his bat to the crowd and hugging Sourav Ganguly.

NAGPUR, Thursday, AP

INDIA 1ST INNINGS

Virender Sehwag b Krejza	 66
Murali Vijay c Haddin b Watson	 33
Rahul Dravid c Katich b Krejza	 0
Sachin Tendulkar lbw Johnson	109
V.V.S Laxman c Haddin b Krejza	 64
Sourav Ganguly not out		 27
Mahendra Singh Dhoni not out	 4
EXTRAS: (2lb, 4b, 1w, 1nb)	 8
TOTAL: (for five wickets)	311
FALL OF WICKET: 1-98, 2-99, 3-116, 4-262, 5-303.
BOWLING: Brett Lee 12-1-46-0 (1nb, 1w), Mitchell Johnson
21-8-54-1, Shane Watson 13-2-35-1, Jason Krejza 28-1-138-3, 
Cameron White 10-1-24-0, Simon Katich 3-0-8-0.