If the first three days were anything to go by, this match was going to be won by one team only. But cricket and maths don’t go well together. There is always hope for the unexpected, a quick fire 50, a match-winning spell of bowling, a run-out against the run of play. There are so many things that could go wrong, or right depending on how things happen. The champions, however, do not let their opposition take control. And if Australia are champions, then they need some serious contemplation to do as India dominated their 4th consecutive day in this test match.

Resuming at 100/0 and already in front by 301, Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir kept scoring at a belligerent pace regardless of what field placements Ricky Ponting could conjure up. Despite having 4 men at the boundary, he was unable to stem the flow of runs. Gambhir reached his 50 during the day, and the two now have become the most dangerous opening pair in the game. Both Gambhir and Sehwag score freely and have a wide array of shots. They can easily manufacture shots depending on the situation and it is their aggressive attitude to dominate the bowling that sets them apart from other opening pairs.

Sehwag, however, was the first to depart edging Peter Siddle to Brad Haddin. Siddle picked up his first wicket of the innings and so did Australia. Dhoni came in at one-down, a rather unusual position for him in tests, although he has played a few match-winning knocks at that position in the shorter format of the game. He was quickly into his stride as he saw Gambhir score just his second test century, which was also his first against Australia.

Gambhir, however did not stay too long as the need to score runs saw him gift away his wicket to Cameron White. Ganguly was promoted up the order after his 100 in the first innings. Dhoni, in the meantime, was going great guns as he kept the pace up. After getting a start of 182 runs in the first innings, India were not going to let the Aussies sneak in. Dhoni, leading the side for just his second time, was playing his part - that of a leader - to perfection. Even though Ganguly fell, just after tea, the damage had been done and Australia were never going to win this match from here.

Dhoni quickly declared at 314/3, giving Australia a mammoth 516 for a win, which is incidentally also 100 runs more than the current world record chase. The visitors replied the best way they possibly can - their openers came out all guns blazing, with Matty Hayden, in particular, looking to through the kitchen and sink at everything. He quickly raced to 29 from only 19 balls. Katich himself was scoring in a very uncharacteristic manner - and this would be his downfall.

In a stroke of inspired leadership, Dhoni brought in Harbhajan Singh for the last over of the day, in front of Amit Mishra who picked up 5 wickets in the first innings. Hayden wanted to dominate Bhajji and played his favorite sweep shot. To his horror, he missed and Bhajji had his man in his very first over. It is a known fact, that you dont allow the Turbanator to pick up an early wicket in his spell as he becomes a totally different bowler. In today’s case, the aptly named bollywood movie, Sinngh is Kinng would suit him perfectly. Simon Katich tried to drive a rising delivery and edged to point where Sachin Tendulkar took a blinder and ended another perfect session for India. In the space of a few balls (4 to be precise), Australia had collapsed from 49/0 to 49/2.

The final session started with absolute mayhem. Michael Hussey tried to sweep Bhajji out of the ground, instead missed the line completely and was caught plumb in front to give Harbhajan his thrid wicket.

Australia 52/3.

Ishant Sharma then cleaned Ricky Ponting’s defence as he got his man for the second time in the match and the third time in this series. Ponting could only hear the ball crashing into his offstump. In his trademark forward defensive push, the ball reverse swung and crashed into the off-stump. Ponting’s poor run since his century continued.

Australia 52/4.

In came Shane Watson, the only positive from Australia’s first innings. He was facing Ishant Sharma. A similar delivery that got Ricky Ponting, undid Watson as well. The ball jagged in from outside the off-stump and hit Watson just above his knee roll, right in front of the stumps. Umpire Rudi Koertzen slowly raised the dreaded finger and Watson had to go back.

Australia reduced to 58/5. Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin surved the last session and took the visitors to a much respectable 141/5. Both have a huge final day in front as Australia are looking at one of their biggest defeat in recent times. Dhoni’s skills as a leader in the longer format were there to see. It wont be long before he is handed the mantle of leading India in the test arena.

Watch Day 4 Highlights

Related Posts