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Azhar looks forward to levelling scores

Saisuresh Sivaswamy in Madras

Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin and manager Anshuman Gaekwad indicated in their post-match media conference that Sunday's defeat to Pakistan is already behind them, and that they are looking forward to levelling the score in the second Test at Delhi.

Asked if the outcome too proved that the Indian team was simply not up to winning close encounters, Azharuddin disagreed. "These things happen. Hopefully they won't happen again. We have forgotten about today's match, it is behind us, and we are looking at the next match."

On Sachin Tendulkar's dismissal turning the tide away from India, with his score on 136 and the team reduced to 254 for 7, Azharuddin said, "I don't know if that was a turning point; there were so many turning points in this match."

But he admitted the mood in the Indian dressing room after Tendulkar's dismissal was negative.

Overall, he said, he was happy with the level of competition, and that he found the experience "fulfilling". Whether the team was able to cope with the pressure of playing Pakistan, the Indian captain said, "The pressure was always there. But this time we knew the target, and there was ample time."

Azharuddin said he was happy with the new opening pair of S Ramesh and V V S Laxman.

"Well, if we persist with them and not change them, they will come good." On Tendulkar's physical condition -- he could not come to the stand to collect the man of the match award, and he was in obvious discomfort during his outstanding innings -- Gaekwad said there was nothing to worry. "He will be all right for the next Test."

Azharuddin said Tendulkar suffered from pain in his hip and groin, and the two-three day rest should put him back in fine condition. The team's sudden change in strategy in the post-tea session, during which India came close to winning the match after a dreary crawl in the early part of the innings, Azharuddin admitted that it was a well-thought-out decision, and one that had obviously paid dividends.