India vs Australia, Australia in India, 2008 - 1st Test
Date: 9-13 October 2008
India manages draw on the final dayAustralia won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch that was expected to aid spinners later on. Ricky Ponting led from the front by scoring his first century in India. Zaheer Khan removed Hayden off the very first over, thanks to an error from the umpire. In spite of good bowling spells from Zaheer and Ishant Sharma, Ricky Ponting and Simon Katich started to build a careful and controlled partnership. Ricky Ponting's century and his 166 run partnership was the highlight of the day. The Indians had come back later in the day by removing Michael Clarke cheaply. Australians ended the day on 254/4 with Michael Hussey on 46.
On the second day, Zaheer struck immediately by removing Shane Watson. But, a 91-run partnership between Hussey and Brad Haddin ensured that India could not capitalize. The Indians frustration grew further as Brett Lee combined with Hussey to post an useful 59 run partnership for the 8th wicket. The tail rallied around the brilliance of Hussey. When Hussey was last man out for 146, the score has swelled to 430. Zaheer picked 5 wickets, Ishant Sharma had 4 wickets and Harbhajan Singh accounted for one. India's captain and leading wicket-taker Kumble was disappointing, sending down 43 overs without a wicket. The Indians replied strongly and the openers were unseparated by the end of the day at 68/0.
The third day morning saw the Indians failing miserably and suddenly the scoreline read 106/4. A half-century from Dravid and 47 from Ganguly provided some respect to the total. But, the Indians had much to cheer later on when Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan combined brilliantly to post an 80 run partnership for the eighth wicket. When Harbhajan was dismissed late in the day, he had already helped India to avoid the follow-on. He also scored a half century. Indians ended the day on 313/8.
If the third day had not frustrated the Australians, then certainly the fourth day would have done it. Zaheer Khan went on to score a half-century and in the company of Kumble and Ishant took the score to 360. The Indians fell short of the Australian score by a mere 70 runs. Australia looked shaky in the second innings, losing 5 wickets for the addition of 128 runs. But, Haddin and Watson have put on an unbeaten 65 runs partnership for the sixth wicket. Once again, Kumble was disappointing.
The final day was set absolutely for a stern test for the Indians. Ricky Ponting declared the innings after playing only 5 overs, during which they added another 35 runs. The target for the Indians is tempting enough, 299 runs in 83 overs. But, quick dismissals of Sehwag and Dravid stopped any such calculations to continue. It was up to the Indians to play out time and overs. The feat was achieved wonderfully by Gambhir, Sachin, Laxman and Ganguly. They played sensibly under pressure and ensured that Indians do not lose another match on the final day. Sachin fell one short of a well-deserved half century and within touching distance of Lara's all-time record.
1st Innings:
Australia 430 (Michael Hussey 146, Ricky Ponting 123, Zaheer Khan 5 for 91, Ishant Sharma 4 for 77)
India 360 (Zaheer Khan 57 not out, Harbhajan Singh 54, Johnson 4 for 70, Watson 3 for 45)
2nd Innings:
Australia 228/6 declared (Shane Watson 41, Haddin 35 not out, Ishant Sharma 3 for 40, Harbhajan Singh 2 for 76)
India 177/4 (Tendulkar 49, Laxman 42 not out, Clark 1 for 12, Johnson 1 for 23)
Match Result: Draw
Man of the match: Zaheer Khan, for his 6 wickets and 57 not out
Dhoni's performance in the 1st innings:
Catches : 2 / Stumpings : 0
Batting: 9 runs (51 balls), 4s: 0/ 6s: 0
Dhoni's performance in the 2nd innings:
Catches : 0 / Stumpings : 0
Batting: Did Not Bat
