India lost the chance of having runs on the boad on the day 2 of the fourth and final test in Nagpur. India leading the series 1-0, should either draw or win it to ensure that they retain the Gavaskar-Border Trophy.
They succummbed to the off spin of debutant Krejza, who captured 8 of the Indian wickets. Though he conceeded close to 5 runs per over and went beyond 250 runs in bowling, the wickets were crucial for Australians.
Resuming the day at 313 for 5, both Ganguly and Dhoni played well and ensured that they keep the score board moving. They played the crucial first hour very well. Both of them scored half-century and built 119 runs partnership for the 6th wicket. Dhoni was the first to go on day 2, bowled by Krejza. Two balls later, Ganguly was caught at short leg by Clarke, 5th victim of Krezja. India went down to 423 for 7 from 422 for 5. In a span of one run, they lost 2 good wickets.
Dhoni was out for 56 of 97 balls with 4 fours and Ganguly missed a good chance to score a century in his last test. He was out for 85 of 153 balls with 8 fours and a huge six of Krejza.
The tail immediately went back to the pavilion not able to tackled the spin and bounce of Krejza. Zaheer Khan was bolwed for 1, Mishra was also bowled in the next ball giving the debutant a hat-trick chance. Ishanth Sharma saved the hat-trick but got in the next over caught by Katich, giving the 8th wicket to Krejza. Harbhajan remained not out on 18.
India ended the first innings with just 441 where they could have easily crossed 550.
With 50 over remaining in the day, Australians started positively. They definitely wanted to win to square the series. Hayden was run out when he attempted a quick single against the youngster Vijay. He picked the ball running from mid on and hit directly on the bowlers stump. That gave a lucky break through for India.
Soon, Ponting was Bhajjis victim and became his 300th test victim. He was bowled by Harbhajan for 24. The Hussey and Katich pair built the innings from where Ponting left--74 for 2. Katich reached a well played half century which laid the fight back. End of the day, Katich is on 92 and Hussey is on 45 and Australia are 189 for 2.
India need quick break through on the morning of day 3 to remain in the competition. The first hour is crucial. Bhajji should take couple of wickets in the morning and bring back India to the game. Australians have played aggressively and consistently scoring above 4 runs per over except on the last hour. They are just below 4 runs per over rate and if they play out till lunch without losing wicket, they can go past beyond by tea time and India will be under pressure to put a good total in the 2nd innings.
So, it is cricital that India get quick wickets tomorrow. Bhajji, all the best!
Scoreboard at the end of Day 2:
Toss: India
India 1st Innings 441 all out in 124.5 overs (Sehwag 66, Vijay 33, Dravid 0, Tendulkar 109, Laxman 64, Ganguly 85, Dhoni 56, Harbhajan Singh 18 not out, Zaheer 1, Mishra 0, Ishanth Sharma 0, Extras--9 (b 4, lb 2, w 1, nb 2), Lee 16-2-62-0, Johnson 32-11-84-1, Watson 20-5-42-1, Krezja 43.5-1-215-8, White 10-1-24-0, Katich 3-0-8-0)
Fall of Wickets: 1-98 (Vijay, 17.5 ov), 2-99 (Dravid, 18.4 ov), 3-116 (Sehwag, 22.3 ov), 4-262 (Laxman, 68.4 ov), 5-303 (Tendulkar, 82.5 ov), 6-422 (Dhoni, 116.4 ov), 7-423 (Ganguly, 116.6 ov), 8-437 (Khan, 122.3 ov), 9-437 (Mishra, 122.4 ov), 10-441 (Sharma, 124.5 ov)
Australia 1st Innings 189 for 2 in 49 overs (Hayden 16, Katich 92 batting, Ponting 24, Hussey 45 batting, Extras--12 (b 4, lb 2, nb 1, pen 5), Zaheer 8-0-41-0, Harbhajan Singh 16-0-57-1, Ishanth Sharma 8-2-25-0, A Mishra 9-1-31-0, V Sehwag 6-1-11-0, Tendulkar 2-0-13-0)
Fall of the Wickets: 1-32 (Hayden, 6.5 Overs), 2-74 (Ponting, 17.1 Overs)
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