Zaheer and Harbhajan denied Aussies a big lead which was expected by everyone. The lead was thought to be over 180, was reduced to 70 runs by Harbhajan and Zaheer as they both crossed their 50 run mark. Harbhajan was dismissed for 54 towards end of day 3, but Zaheer was in the crease to start day 4.
Zaheer crossed his 50 in style by coming down the track and hitting Watson over his head for a straight four. Zaheer and Kumble reduced the gap to less than 100. They added 31 for the 9th wicket, off whcih Kumble scored 5. Zaheer Khan hit two boundaries in the morning and released the pressure.
Kumble was the first one to go, leg before to Watson. He played 33 balls for his 5. Ishanth played well and Zaheer had the confidence in Ishanth. They added 17 before Ishanth was bowled by M Clarke. Zaheer Khan was not out on 57 off 121 balls with 5 fours. He was the highest scorer for India, followed by Harbhajan. The last three wickets played 41.3 overs, that is, 249 balls. Isn't this amazing?
Australia started the 2nd innings with a lead of 70 runs and had 68 overs in hand. Sure that Ponting would be in double mind--whether to attack or to play defense and based on loss of wickets, either attack or defend. Any captain would expect a good start to put a good total on the board.
Hayden went first, unlucky decision! LBW to Zaheer. He fell to Zaheer in both the innings. Ponting, played well, but couldn't continue his first innings form. He was caught at mid wicket off Ishanth Sharma. Australia where 49 for 2 in 22.2 overs.
Katich and Hussey added 50 for the third wicket and they consumed 133 deliveries to reach this mark. The top spinner from Harbhajan hit the top of the Katich bat and and poped an easy catch at silly mid off where Laxman grabbed it easily. His 34 came off 140 balls with 3 hits to boundary.
The vice captain Micheal Clarke did not last long. He was caught at covers of Ishanth Sharma for 6 and Aussies were 115 for 4.
The century scorer Mike Hussye did not read Harbhajan's incoming delivery. He thought it would leave him, but it came in and knocked the stumps. He was bowled for 31 off 72 deliveries with 3 fours.
Watson should have gone in the over by Bhajji if Sehwag was placed few steps close the boundary. He was standing half way and the shot ball was pulled just over his head.
Earlier, Gambhir reacted late to at short-leg to give a life to Katich.
A run-out chance for sending Ponting to pavilion was closely missed by substitute Badrinath. He tried for direct hit, but the ball wnet few inches away from the bowlers end stumps.
Shane Watson and Brad Haddin 65 runs for the 6th wicket and took the lead beyond 250. They survived close run-outs which were missed by Indians. No one stood near the stumps when they were taking chances on the 2nd run. In one instance, Kumble or Ishanth could have collected the throw from Ganguly, but they were standing in their own position.
Watson is on 32 and Haddin is on 28 and the score is 193 for 5. What will be Ponting's plan for day 5? When will he declare? Or will India pick all the wickets in less than 300 runs? How much overs will India have to negotiate or to score the target? The target will be around 325--this my expectation!!!
Test: 1st Test
Venue: Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
Dates: October 9-13, 2008
Teams: India and Australia
Hosts: India
Captains: Anil Kumble and Ricky Ponting
Toss: Australia
Score at the end of Day 4:
Australia 1st Innings 430 all out in 149.5 overs (ML Hayden 0, SM Katich 66, RT Ponting 123, MEK Hussye 146, MJ Clarke 11, SR Watson 2, BJ Haddin 33, CL White 6, B Lee 27, MG Johnson 1, SR Clark 0 not out, Extras--15 (lb 11, w 1, nb 3), Z Khan 29.-4-91-5, I Sharma 30-7-77-4, Harbhajan Singh 41-8-103-1, A Kumble 43-6-129-0, V Sehwag 6-0-19-0)
Fall of Wickets: 1-0 (Hayden, 0.3 ov), 2-166 (Katich, 54.4 ov), 3-226 (Ponting, 78.4 ov), 4-254 (Clarke, 89.2 ov), 5-259 (Watson, 92.3 ov), 6-350 (Haddin, 122.6 ov), 7-362 (White, 126.5 ov), 8-421 (Lee, 147.5 ov), 9-429 (Johnson, 149.1 ov), 10-430 (Hussey, 149.5 ov)
India 1st Innings 360 all out in 119 overs (G Gambhir 21, V Sehwag 45, R Dravid 51, SR Tendulkar 13, VVS Laxman 0, SC Ganguly 47, MS Dhoni 9, Harbhajan Singh 54, Zaheer Khan 57 not out, A Kumble 5, I Sharma 6, Extras--52 (b 23, lb 23, nb 6), B Lee 26-6-64-1, S Clark 17-3-58-0, M Johnson 27-4-70-4, S Watson 19-4-45-3, White 13-2-39-0, M Clarke 17-3-38-2)
Fall of Wickets: 1-70 (Gambhir, 19.2 ov), 2-76 (Sehwag, 22.6 ov), 3-94 (Tendulkar, 28.4 ov), 4-106 (Laxman, 32.6 ov), 5-155 (Dravid, 49.5 ov), 6-195 (Dhoni, 65.4 ov), 7-232 (Ganguly, 77.3 ov), 8-312 (Harbhajan Singh, 99.3 ov), 9-343 (Kumble, 111.6 ov), 10-360 (Sharma, 118.6)
Australia 2nd Innings (70 runs lead) 193 for 5 in 68 overs (Hayden 13, Katich 34, Ponting 17, Mike Hussey 31, Micheal Clarke 6, Watson 32 batting, Haddin 28 batting, Extras--32 (b 13, lb 10, w 6, nb 3), Z Khan 15-4-30-1, I Sharma 12-3-27-2, Harbhajan Singh 27-5-76-2, V Sehwag 7-1-12-0, A Kumble 7-0-25-0)
Fall of Wickets: 1-21 (Hayden, 12.2 ov), 2-49 (Ponting, 22.2 ov), 3-99 (Katich, 44.3 ov), 4-115 (Clarke, 47.5 ov), 5-128 (Hussey, 50.5 ov)
Click here to read Day 1 Report
Click here to read Day 2 Report
Click here to read Day 3 Report
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