India tighten stranglehold on match
Tuesday, 21 October 2008
India's top order set the table, and two of Australia's familiar tormenters tucked in to leave the home side five wickets away from a crushing win, and the series lead, against the No 1 side in the world. Gautam Gambhir scored his second century - and first at home - while Virender Sehwag and Mahendra Singh Dhoni raced to half-centuries to set Australia a mammoth 516 in a little over four sessions, reports Cricinfo.
To drive home their advantage, India dismissed Australia's openers in the last over before tea, tore the heart out of their middle order, and had them hemorrhaging at 141 for 5 . Harbhajan Singh, who took 3 for 23, and Ishant Sharma had once again turned on the heat when India needed it most.
Australia had launched a spirited chase for seven overs, racing to 49, but Harbhajan's double-wicket over before tea stunned them. Matthew Hayden, who had begun in one-day mood, tried to sweep and was lbw for 29. Three balls later Simon Katich, losing his composure, threw his bat at a flighted delivery and was superbly caught by Sachin Tendulkar, who had to dive forward to take the catch inches off the grass. The wickets had come in Harbhajan's first over, an inspired bowling change by Dhoni after the new-ball bowlers had been expensive.
Australia 268 and 141 for 5 (Clarke 42*, Haddin 37*) need 375 runs to beat India 469 and 313 for 3 (Gambhir 104, Sehwag 90, Dhoni 68*)
To drive home their advantage, India dismissed Australia's openers in the last over before tea, tore the heart out of their middle order, and had them hemorrhaging at 141 for 5 . Harbhajan Singh, who took 3 for 23, and Ishant Sharma had once again turned on the heat when India needed it most.
Australia had launched a spirited chase for seven overs, racing to 49, but Harbhajan's double-wicket over before tea stunned them. Matthew Hayden, who had begun in one-day mood, tried to sweep and was lbw for 29. Three balls later Simon Katich, losing his composure, threw his bat at a flighted delivery and was superbly caught by Sachin Tendulkar, who had to dive forward to take the catch inches off the grass. The wickets had come in Harbhajan's first over, an inspired bowling change by Dhoni after the new-ball bowlers had been expensive.
Australia 268 and 141 for 5 (Clarke 42*, Haddin 37*) need 375 runs to beat India 469 and 313 for 3 (Gambhir 104, Sehwag 90, Dhoni 68*)