The final day was as thrilling as it could ever be. Ricky Ponting declared giving India a victory target of 299 on a crumbling Bangalore wicket. If India got a quick start depending on Sehwag, then it was game on from India. If Australia got Sehwag cheaply, then it was game on from Australia. As it happened, Sehwag got out early and Australia were right on top. Had it been any other Aussie pace attack, they would have won. Had it been any other Indian batting lineup, India would have lost.

Unfortunately for Australia, and fortunately for India, neither was true. The Aussies failed to get 10 wickets. India failed to lose 10 wickets. Two men stood there ground. The only two men who have done so over the last decade. VVS Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar defied a spirited Australian pace attack and Australia’s best spin combination to deny the visitors a victory. Although Tendulkar fell 15 runs short of reaching the world record mark, he would have been pretty satisfied with his effort. VVS on the other hand desperately needed to get amongst the runs, especially after scoring a duck in the first innings.

Ganguly, in his last match at Bangalore, stood firm. His knocks in both the innings have been crucial. He is definitely looking set for a big score in his farewell to international cricket. One wonders, if the last of the 4 matches would have been at the Eden Gardens. The very mention of it being Ganguly’s last match would have ensured capacity crowds for all 5 days, regardless if India win or loose.

Watch Day 5 Highlights

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