What a day and what a match. Intriguing so far. Perfect to up the ante. Australia under pressure, yet come back strongly in the final session. Indian bowlers kept the pressure pretty much for the while day, however, it seemed that the energy was completely drained out of the Indian bodies in the final session as two Aussies, with not much test experience, fought the pressure and came out on top.

India looked aggressive and the fielders were attacking when they started their second innings. Perhaps they were buoyed by the performance of the tail enders. Perhaps it was Dhoni’s aggressive tactics (yes Kumble was did not come in for about an hour and a half due to a sore shoulder). Indian bowlers made the first move by picking up Hayden and Ponting early. Zak and Ishant have been a revelation in this series, as a pace combination.

Harbhajan finally got his sting back, more so because of the assistance he got from the pitch. But whenever he bowled, he looked like getting a wicket. Dhoni made all the moves initially to get wickets. I think that Anil Kumble has lost the plot. His tactics are not aggressive and he is way too by-the-book. Perhaps the reason why he has failed to grab a wicket in this test match. Definitely a cause for concern for him and the selectors. India, fortunately, have a couple of talented, yet inexperienced, leg spinners in Amit Mishra and Piyush Chawla, the latter already made life miserable for the tourists in their tour game.

So, it will all boil down to the final day’s play. Australia in a terrific position to set a target for their bowlers to get India in the second innings. Watch out India. The Empire is not going to fall that easily.

Watch the fourth day’s highlights here:

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