5.00 P.M.
Despite their achievements the one thing and arguably the most glaring failing of the fab four have been their inability to impose themselves when needed. Today's failure is one more instance where they failed when everyone expected them to carry the game beyond the reach of the Australians.
Fortunately, the partnership between Dhoni and Harbhajan not only saved the match but also put the Indian back on the drivers seat. (BTW, Harbhajan averages 50 or thereabouts in this series).
India 295 all out. Shane Watson and Jason Krejza have taken 4 wickets each. Overall, the Australian bowlers have put in a much-improved performance.
Australia requires another 382 runs to win the Test.
Despite their achievements the one thing and arguably the most glaring failing of the fab four have been their inability to impose themselves when needed. Today's failure is one more instance where they failed when everyone expected them to carry the game beyond the reach of the Australians.
Fortunately, the partnership between Dhoni and Harbhajan not only saved the match but also put the Indian back on the drivers seat. (BTW, Harbhajan averages 50 or thereabouts in this series).
India 295 all out. Shane Watson and Jason Krejza have taken 4 wickets each. Overall, the Australian bowlers have put in a much-improved performance.
Australia requires another 382 runs to win the Test.
12.55P.M.
The two V’s, Virendra Sehwag and Murali Vijay give India a good start. They followed their 98-run stand in the first innings with a 116 run stand in the second. Though Vijay failed to get his half century, he has given evidence of his potential and justified his unexpected inclusion in the team. Now it is up to the Indian think tank to make clear what the future holds for him.
Though the run-rate in the morning session was according to Sehwag’s standard sedate, India still managed to score 98, which is as much as what Australia could score in the first two sessions yesterday.
An overall lead of 200 is just reassuring, India need to pile another 200 more as early as possible to completely rule out the possibility of an Australian victory.
The two V’s, Virendra Sehwag and Murali Vijay give India a good start. They followed their 98-run stand in the first innings with a 116 run stand in the second. Though Vijay failed to get his half century, he has given evidence of his potential and justified his unexpected inclusion in the team. Now it is up to the Indian think tank to make clear what the future holds for him.
Though the run-rate in the morning session was according to Sehwag’s standard sedate, India still managed to score 98, which is as much as what Australia could score in the first two sessions yesterday.
An overall lead of 200 is just reassuring, India need to pile another 200 more as early as possible to completely rule out the possibility of an Australian victory.
6.50 A.M.
A test match that was meandering to a draw is suddenly alive with possibilities. For the second time in this series, the first one being at Mohali, India finds itself in a position of strength on the 4th day. They have the enviable task of setting a target for the Australians to chase.
As usual, India depends on Sehwag for the size and the briskness of the start. If he leaves early, it would mean a delay in the declaration, which in turn may leave our bowlers with insufficient number of over’s to pries out the Australian batsmen.
However, the 86 runs lead is a handy one and even if Sehwag leaves early, others like Dhoni, Laxman, Ganguly and Tendulkar can accelerate without fear. Dhoni as captain has the happy task of determining when to declare and if all goes according to plan, you may see him waving from the pavilion just after tea.
Krejza and even White could be fly in the ointment. Both the Indian and the Australian batsmen have found lofting the spinners a perilous exercise. The pitch is behaving like a typical 4 th day test wicket, nevertheless one hope it crumbles when the Australians bat.
Cricket News Online Live.com on the 4 th day of the Nagpur Test 
10 comments:
dude, this comment form disables me from commenting here.........
Buzz,
How?
sad dada got out first ball for duck
visit my new post on two lengands of cricket at
http://christopherdavid007.blogspot.com/2008/11/legendary-farewell-for-two-legends.html
I spent alot of time on it and looking forward for your thoughts.
Otts,
Guess even a score of 350 would be really dificult to chase.. But then Bhajji & Mishra have to take a leaf out of Krejza's book.
Inability impose themselves when needed.
How much more will it take till we can finally pack away our sentiments in the safe and get on with the job ahead?
Poshin,
A shame that the Bengal Tiger bid adieu with a whimper.
Tri,
If the spinners do not pull their weight we face an uphill task.
Soulberry,
Dada's 'voluntary' retirement gives me hope.
Australia. from the way they played, it appears are trying to pull it off somehow. THey may give it a try in the first session , if it doesnt work out they can always try to play out the day. THe pitch looks quite benign to me.
R,
The pitch to my utter disappointment is still intact. Expect this match to end in a draw.
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