India score 296/3 at the close of play on day1 of the Kotla Test. Frankly I am surprised that they scored nearly 300 after losing Sehwag early.
Tendulkar's aggressiveness coupled with Gambhir's opportunistic batting saw to that India did not lag. Laxman as is his wont has compiled a well made 54.
The loss of Sehwag and Dravid early in the day almost gave the Australians the upper hand. Tendulkar batting wrested it away from them. Gambhir and Laxman have completely tilted the game in India's favour.
For Australia, Clark bowled well. Katich who bowled a pretty long spell for an occasional bowler got a couple of balls to turn.
All signs portend an engrossing day tomorrow.
For the record : India 293/3 (89 overs). Laxman 54 not out and Gambhir 149 not out.
3.02 P.M.
Post lunch was India's session all the way except when Sachin flirted with a Johnson delivery angling away from him only to nick it to Haddin. Laxman & Gambhir have continued the good work done by Sachin and posted a healthy 200/3 in 60 overs.
With another 20 overs remaining in the day scoring 300 is unlikely. That means India will have to score at a faster pace on the second day to give their bowlers sufficient time to bowl the Australians out twice.
As things stand, barring a dramatic batting collapse this match is heading for a draw.
Gambhir scores his third century and his second in successive innings against the Australians. This century is radically different from his other two. There it was more his form and luck that carried him to century. Here it was plain determination. Good job young man.
11.55 A.M.Post lunch was India's session all the way except when Sachin flirted with a Johnson delivery angling away from him only to nick it to Haddin. Laxman & Gambhir have continued the good work done by Sachin and posted a healthy 200/3 in 60 overs.
With another 20 overs remaining in the day scoring 300 is unlikely. That means India will have to score at a faster pace on the second day to give their bowlers sufficient time to bowl the Australians out twice.
As things stand, barring a dramatic batting collapse this match is heading for a draw.
Gambhir scores his third century and his second in successive innings against the Australians. This century is radically different from his other two. There it was more his form and luck that carried him to century. Here it was plain determination. Good job young man.
No further alarms. Good to see Gambhir dig in with resolve. It is going to be hard work from here. The Australian tactics of denying runs has worked until now.
I think batting wise we are going to go through another tough session until tea.
10.52 A.M.
The Indian team has lost its effervescence. Primarily because Tendulkar has had much more strike than Gambhir. Currently they are stagnating at 48/2.
10.20 A.M.
Dravid out. Hayden takes a low dipping catch to his right at slips. 27/2 Tendulkar in.
One thing to be said about Dravid - he maintained a high run per ball ratio.
10.00 A.M.
Could be my imagination, but Lee and Clark appear menacing.
Dravid in.Though Gambhir appears in good nick, cannot get rid of the butterflies in the stomach.
Just as I feared, Lee got Sehwag before he could wreak havoc.
India won the toss and elected to bat.
5.45 A.M
Can India extend their lead? History suggests that India can seal the series at Kotla, but to do that Indian pacers have to continue the good work and get rid of the top three cheaply.
To me they have been the difference. Our seamers pinned the Australian openers on the back foot and the Australian batsmen who followed them have been forced to follow suit.
Therefore the fate of the Test match will be known in the very first hour. If the Indian openers get away to a good start or if the bowlers get a few Australian wickets you can be sure that the Test match will go the Indian way.
BTW the Indian team is going to wait until the last minute to announce its eleven. This is to give the maximum amount of time for Bhajji to prove his fitness.
I suggest that the Indian team should straight away include Amit Mishra instead of doing it utmost to include Harbhajan in the team. He, Amit Mishra,will prove decisive.
Cricket News Online Live on the Ist day of the Kotla Test
