Test poised for an interesting finish
by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

Scorecard:India v Australia
Player:V Sehwag, M Vijay, RS Dravid, SR Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, SC Ganguly, MS Dhoni, Harbhajan Singh, ML Hayden, SM Katich, RT Ponting, JJ Krejza
Event:Australia in India 2008/09
DateLine: 9th November 2008

 

Australia need 369 more runs to win on the final day of the fourth test at Nagpur to level the series and regain the Border Gavaskar trophy. India have set a target of 382 to win and Australia were 13 for no loss at stumps.Earlier India were bowled out for 295 in their second innings.A thrilling final day awaits everybody tomorrow.

A Good Start once again
Sehwag and Vijay once again provided India a good start. India rattled along and were 98 for no loss at lunch. They put on their first century stand and India got themselves into a good position, before the collapse after lunch. Sehwag and Vijay were at their attacking best as India were going for a huge lead when Watson struck twice. The ball started to reverse swing after lunch and he had Vijay trapped in front for a well made 41. The man certainly has had a good debut.

A sudden collapse
Once Vijay was out there was a sudden collapse. Dravid short on confidence continued with his poorform to be dismissed caught behind by Watson. Lee struck from the other end to get rid of Sehwag fending, eight short of a hundred. Sehwag dismissed for the second time in the ninety's in this series. Suddenly the Aussies smelled blood. Laxman and Sachin were pegged back by some attacking bowling. India got themselves into a hole when Laxman was dismissed bowled through the gate by Kresjza the off spinner.

Dada's final Swansong
Saurav came to the crease for one final appearance. He was out of the very first ball. Trying to work the ball on the on side he got the leading edge to be caught and bowled by the debutant who was on a hatrick. Dada could not believe it as he turned back looked at the heavens and marched off for one final time from the ground.How ironical to start one's career with a Hundred and end his last with a duck.His last innings reminded one and all of Bradman who also did the same. But the collase did not get over as Sachin got into a misunderstanding with Dhoni in the last over before tea and was run out. India from 116 for no loss went into tea at 166 for 6, just 252 ahead with the tail to come. Australia were right back into the game picking 6 wickets for 50 runs

Dramatic post tea session
It was a dramatic post tea session. Australia were well behind in the over rates. They needed to get some overs very quickly. So their captain Ricky Ponting decided to employ spin at both ends.There came the window of opportunity for the Indians. Dhoni and Harbhajan launched into a massive counter attack against the spinners. The sweep shot was employed to good effect.They were scoring at 4 an over and Ponting could not bring the quicks, and bowlers like Hussey, Michael Clarke, Cameron White were in operation at such a crucial juncture.India ran away with the game with Dhoni and Bhajji forging an excellent century stand. Dhoni was finally out caught bat pad for a well made 50. Bhajji also got a crucial half century and in the context of the game was the most important innings. India have Bhajji thank for such a crucial lead. India were finally bowled out for 295 with a lead of 381.
Austalia have a mountain to climb on the last day chasing the target of 382. Mathew Hayden and Ricky Ponting will be the key on the final day of this enthralling series India will be desperate to stop the Aussies in their tracks on the final day of this series to regain the Border Gavaskar trophy.