Cricket: England and India have been thanked and congratulated by International Cricket Council (ICC) chief executive Haroon Lorgat for defying difficult circumstances to take part in the first Test in Chennai, which concluded today.
Kevin Pietersen's tourists returned to India to face their hosts in two Tests, rescheduled to new venues after the Mumbai terrorist attacks which last month forced England to cut short their one-day international series and fly home.
The result was an enthralling match - India won by six wickets in the final session, on the back of master batsman Sachin Tendulkar's 41st Test hundred - and Lorgat has made it clear the players' attitude and efforts are much appreciated by their sport's world governing body.
"I have been in touch with both the BCCI (Indian board) and ECB (English board) since the end of the match to thank them for what was a great advertisement for cricket," he said.
"There was a lot of debate before this game as to whether it would even go ahead because of the terrible events in Mumbai recently. Last week, I was convinced that the right thing to do was for the match to take place - and now I'm glad that we have witnessed a great game of cricket.
"Although India takes the plaudits for winning the match, thanks and congratulations are also due to Kevin Pietersen and his team - who played so well while under enormous pressure from forces over which they could exert no control.
"I was very impressed with their attitude and today I can say I am especially proud to be involved in this great game."
He believes both teams have proven again the power of sport to help to repair the world's ills - and he believes England and India's cricketers have set an example for the future.
"Sport has the ability to make a difference in our society, and over the past few days these two cricket teams have fought back and demonstrated great unity in a world rocked by conflict and division," added Lorgat, who attended the first two days of the Test
"I have no doubt the England players will be very disappointed after this match - but they have a huge amount of which to be proud. They clearly have plenty of character and courage, so I hope they can pick themselves up and go to Mohali for the second Test with lots to play for.
"This may be a lesson for the future, too.
"We must always try to look at the bigger picture when external events intervene as in this case. Provided it is safe to do so, the show must always go on. We must stand together and rise above these forces that threaten our game and our way of life."
ICC president David Morgan plans to travel to Mohali for the second Test which starts on Wednesday.