Playing at his home ground Gautam Gambhir scored his second consecutive and third century of his career to help India to gain control in the 3rd test at Feerozshah Kotla, New Delhi. At close of play India were 296/3 with Gautam Gambhir is still going strong on 149 runs and V.V.S Laxman batting on 54 runs. Gautam Gambhir continued his good form where he had left in Mohali where he has scored his first century in India and first against Australia. After making comeback to Indian team as opener he was frequently accused for throwing his wickets away but from last three innings he seems to be matured as batsman. Earlier Indian Captain Anil Kumble won the all crucial toss and elected to bat first on beautiful Kotla wicket. But India loss two early wickets of Virendra Sehwag (1 run) and Rahul Dravid (11 runs) for just 27 runs on the board. However thanks to two century partnership India manage to bounce back before close of first day’s play. First Gautam Gambhir put on 130 runs for the third wicket with Sachin Tendulkar (68 runs) and then he and V.V.S.Laxman (54 runs) put on an unbeaten stand of 139 runs. Sachin Tendulkar after settling down and playing some sparkling shot of his back foot throws his wickets away just two balls before tea to gave M.Johnso his second victims of Indian innings. Sachin Tendulkar looks in superb touch while he was at the crease playing all text book strokes of back foot. He hit 11 crispy boundaries in his inning of 68 runs. Now India are well placed at day1 and need to convert Gambhir, Tendulkar and Laxman effort into big one to close the series at Kotla itself. Match Summary (Day1) India – 296/3 in 89 Overs G.Gambhir- 149* S.Tendulkar – 68 M.Johnson– 17-1-69-2 B.Lee– 19-1-70-1 |
