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.
India beat Australia by 320 runs the biggest margin in terms of runs in the history of their test cricket to go 1-up in the four match test series. Australia who were left in hole at the close of fourth day play didn't lasted longer and bowled out for just 195 runs. Zaheer Khan was the main strike bowler on fifth day as he picked up three wickets in the space of four deliveries to left Australia with daunting task of saving the game.
At the close of fourth day play Australian fans have some hope with Brad Haddin and M.Clark to bat out 90 overs and save the game for Australia. But left arm seamer Zaheer Khan first removed Brad Haddin for 37 runs on the last bowl of his first over and then he took two wickets in one over to break the back bone of Australians.
A man who took five wickets in the first inning of Australians took two wickets to polish the tail. First he removed M.Johnson to break 50 run stand between M.Clark (69 runs) and M.Johnson (26 runs). Then he picked M.Clark with slight short of length delivery to gave India and their fans a historic moment to celebrate.
Indian team management will be more than happy with the performance they have displayed in the five day's of play at Mohali. All Indian bowlers look in good shape throughout the match. During Australia second inning Zaheer and Harbhajan picked up three wickets each while A.Mishara and Ishant Sharma picked two wickets each.
Indian batsman also scored heavily in this test match including G.Gambhir (171 runs), M.S.Dhoni (160 runs), S.Ganguly (129 runs), V.Sehwag (125 runs) and S.Tendulkar (98 runs). This test match will be also remembered for Sachin Tendulkar records that he now became the most run scorer in test cricket after breaking B.Lara records during India first inning.
M.S.Dhoniwas declared Man of the Match for his outstanding Captaincy and batting display in both innings.
Some superb bowling by Indians especially Harbhajan Singh and Ishant Sharma India able to get close to register one of the famous win against the Australian in 2nd test match at Mohali. Both bowlers look unplayable for the Australian top order batsman as they lost five wickets for just 58 runs on the board.
With the help of superb opening stand between Virendra Sehwag (90 runs) and Gautam Gambhir (104 runs) of 182 runs 236 balls India able to pile up 314/3. That means Australia need 516 runs to win in approx. 135 overs.
Earlier both not out opening pair started the innings in same manner where they have left on at the end of 3rd days play. Virendra Sehwag looks more dangerous while he was at the crease but he fell 10 short of what could be his 16th test century.
However his partner continued to play aggressively and scored his first test century in India. M.S.Dhoni promoted himself at number three position after Sehwag wicket and he also started hitting the ball rights from the word go.
M.S.Dhoni and Gautam Gambhir put on 42 runs for the 2nd wicket before Gambhir departed after completing his second test century.Saurav Ganguly comes ahead of S.Tendulkar and put on brisk 66-run third wicket partnership with Indian captain M.S.Dhoni which wrested the initiative firmly in India's favour, before Dhoni chose to declare the innings during the second session of play at 314/3.
Australia started their run chase in positive fashion with M.Hayden (29 runs) and S.Katich (20 runs) both looks in dangerous form before the bowling changes just before tea shift the match in favour of Indian team.
Harbhajan Singh strikes twice in his only one over bowled before tea. First he trapped M.Hayden for 29 runs and then on the last ball of his over he gets rid of S.Katich caught brilliantly by S.R.Tendulkar.
After Tea Harbhajan Strikes again by trapping Mr.Cricket “M.Hussey” right in front of the wicket to gave India third and most important breakthrough. Ricky Ponting night mare continue in this series as he was once again got out on the bowling of Ishant Sharma.
Ishant Sharma also removed the first inning top scorer S.Watson for just 2 runs to get Australia into more trouble at 58/5 in just 16.3 overs. But thanks to sixth wicket unbeaten partnership between M.Clark (42 runs) and B.Haddin (37 runs) of83 runs Australia are still fighting hard to save the test match.
Now India has more than a chance to take lead of 1-0 in four match test series.
Saurav Ganguly (102 runs) playing his last test match at Mohali scored a brilliant century to helped his team to score 469 runs in the first inning. He and Skipper M.S.Dhoni (92 runs) put on 109 runs for the 7th wicket. At stumps on day2 Australia were struggling at 102/4 with all their four big guns are back in the pavilion.
Australia 1st inning now heavily rely on Mr. Cricket M.Hussey who is batting beautifully 37 runs. Australia lost two quick wickets early in their inning of M.Hayden (0 runs) and R.Ponting (5 runs). Afterwards they look to recovering well but debutant leg-spinner Amit Mishra took two wickets to send Australia on the back foot.
First he bowled S.Katich (33 runs) who looked good while he was at the crease and then he removed M.Clark for 23 runs in the last over of the day’s play. Second days play at Mohali no doubt belonged to the Indians specially S.Ganguly who manage to score his 16th test century.
Earlier India lost the night watchman Ishant Sharma for 9 runs. S.Ganguly carried his form on day2 also as he played with caution and aggression but Indian Captain M.S.Dhoni looked in aggressive mood as soon as he arrived to the crease.
He hit C.White for huge six to complete his 9th fifty in test cricket. After completing century S.Ganguly tried to accelerate the scoring rate miscued one to B.Lee to give C.White his 1st wicket of the innings.
M.SDhoni accelerated the scoring rate after the dismissal of former Indian Captain S.Ganguly and clobbered White for two huge sixes in an over. But the Indian tail could not wag like it did in Bangalore as Harbhajan Singh (1 run) and Zaheer Khan (2 runs) perished soon as M.S.Dhoni was left stranded with debutant Amit Mishra. M.S.Dhoni was also adjudge lbw by R.Koertzen to miss out his 2nd Test Hundred by eight runs.
Sachin Tendulkar not only created the history on day one after scoring a blistering 88 runs but also put India in commanding position at the end of play. He and Saurav Ganguly put 143 runs for the fifth wicket to get India out of trouble.
He not only became the leading run scorer in Test match cricket after breaking B.Lara records but also became the first batsman to get pass 12000 run in test cricket. The day one of 2nd Test match at Mohali will be remembered for records and milestone achieved by individuals.
First Sachin get pass 12000 runs and then Sourav Ganguly secured one of his own by reaching 7000 runs in the longer version of the game. And finally night watchman Ishant Sharma scored 2 runs to achieve the 100 run marks in his 11 match career.
At the end of day’s play Saurav Ganguly was batting on 54 runs along with Ishant Sharma who is on 2 runs. Now when play resumes tomorrow India will heavily depend on how Saurav and M.S.Dhoni will play tomorrow and will surely eye to get pass 450 run marks to put pressure on Australia.
Earlier Indian acting captain M.S.Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat first in the absence of birth day boy Anil Kumble due to shoulder injury. India started well with both the opener put on 74 runs for the first wicket before V.Sehwag got out for 35 runs. India went onto lunch without any further damage done 104-1 in 25 overs.
But Australia bounces back in the second session by picking up three crucial Indian wickets of R.Dravid (39 runs), G.Gambhir (67 runs) and V.V.S.Laxman (18 runs) in that session and conceded just 70 runs.
After some intense battle during first test match at Bangalore both team once again ready to go at Mohali when they take on each other in 2nd test match starting from 17th of October.
As we have witness during first test match, Australia needs a punching knock from one of their bowlers to bowled out India twice to get the match wrapped up which they failed to do during first test match.
On the other hand India will hope that their captain able to play and get back into the forms to help out other bowlers. Indian team also need one of their top five to get big runs in the 2nd test match since each batsman got start in the previous game but failed to convert it to big score.
In batting Australia are really worried about the form o their two prime players M.Hayden and M.Clark. Both were unable to score in the first test match and Australian Captain Ricky Ponting will be hoping for big scores from one of these two to make pressure on the Indians.
Watch out for
Z.Khan: He not only able to grab the Man of the Match award with the brilliant performance with both bat and bowl but also flying high on confidence and is ready to go against the Australians as he was indicated during the post match presentation at Bangalore.
M.Hayden: During first test match at Bangalore he made only 0 and 13 in two innings and he is due for some big score. Hayden's dominant nature of batting will be crucial to the tempo of the Australian innings.
Pitch and conditions
Toss will play another important role at Mohali. Due to rain in last two days there will be some moisture in the wicket which will provide swing for the fast bowler in the first session of play so whichever team won the toss will probably have a bowl.
Team News
India is unlikely to make any changes until their captain Anil Kumble is declared unfit and if he will not play then Munaf Patel or Amit Mishra get into the Playing XI. Due to S.Clark elbow injury he is likely to sit out and new fast bowler Peter Siddle will probably make debut in 2nd test match against.
Stats & Trivia
Sachin Tendulkar needs another 16 runs to become the leading run getter in test cricket.
Indian team able to win two out of their last four matches played here and they look to continue their good show at Mohali.
Likely Playing XI for both teams (Match is schedule to begin at 09:30 AMIndia Time from 17th October)
Indian tail once again wags against the Australians to frustrate them and keep India hopes alive at the Bengaluru Test match.
Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan put an outstanding partnership of 80 runs for the eighth wicket to frustrate the Australian bowlers in the last session of play. At stumps Indians were 313/8 with Zaheer Khan batting on 35 runs with Indian Captain Anil Kumble on 0.
Harbhajan, who scored a fighting 55 off 110 balls with five boundaries, was the last man out in the day caught by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin off Shane Watson. Earlier Australia bowlers removed overnight openers quickly to get their tight hold on 3rd days play.
First to go was Gautam Gambhir in the 2nd over of Brett Lee. Then M.Johnson gets two big wickets of Virendra Sehwag and S.Tendulkar.
Sachin Tendulkar who came out to bat with lots of expectation of breaking the record of B.Lara and looks solid while he was at the crease but deceived by the slower one of M.Johnson to get out for just 13 runs.
India lost four important wickets in the first session of play and added just 65 runs. After lunch, former Indian skipper Rahul Dravid was adjudged leg before of Shane Watson after the Indian completed his 23rd half century to equal former Indian skipper Sunil Gavaskar's record on Indian soil. He scored 51 runs of 104 balls.
M.S.Dhoni once again failed but S.Ganguly playing his last series for country looks solid and scored 47 runs of 115 balls before getting out lbw of M.Johnson.
India restricted Australia for less than 450 in their first inning and their openers came out all guns blazing to get back into the 1st test match at M.Chinaswamy Stadium, Bangalore. Both Virendra Sehwag (43 runs of 55 balls) and Gautam Gambhir (20 runs of 55 balls) came out with positive frame of mind and added unbeaten 68 runs for the first wicket before rain interrupted the today’s play.
V.Sehwag who is known as one of the most dangerous batsman when he is on song played particularly well tackling all the Australia bowlers with ease. He given some hard time to Stuart Clark driving, cutting and pulling him for as many as 4 four’s.
Gautam Gambhir also took charge when he hit M.Johnson for three crispy boundaries in an over. Indian openers and rest of the batsman to follow will hope the wickets will continue to play in the same manner when the play resumes on third day.
Australia started the day badly loosing Shane Watson wickets in the third over of days play when Ishant Sharma bowled Watson with beauty of delivery. But wicket keeper Batsman B.Haddin (33 runs) and Mr. Cricketer M.Hussey (146 runs) played steadily to get Australia back on track by putting 91 runs. Australia went on to lunch without any further damage done.
After Lunch Ishant Sharma strikes again to bag his third wicket by removing B.Haddin for 33 runs. Debutant Cameron White did not last long and became Ishant's fourth victim when he held out to Harbhajan Singh at cover for six. In between M.Hussey didn’t loss his composer as he went on to score his ninth test century in 188 balls.
M.Hussey got another partnership going when he and B.Lee put on 59 runs for the eight wicket before Zaheer Khan cleaned up him with reverse swinging delivery. In his next over, Zaheer had Mitchell Johnson playing on to his stumps for none and four balls later Hussey did the same.
Now it’s all depend on how the Indian batsman will play on third days play. Let’s hope that Sachin Tendulkar will able to score 77 runs to became the leading run scorer in test cricket.
The newly appointed selection committee leads by K.Srikanth has shown faith in the experienced S.Ganguly and keep him in the 15 member squad for the first two test matches. By the selection in the 15 member squad former Indian Captain S.Ganguly got another lease of life.
The selectors have also included two new and talented faces in the squad delhi leg spinner A.Mishra and Tamil Nadu batsman S.Badrinath for the Bangalore and Mohali Test.
By including Saurav Ganguly in the squad selectors have shown that India need experienced players as well as youth to beat the number one test team in the world. But Yuvraj Singh once again failed to make the cut as he was not included in the squad.
P.Ojha, Rohit Sharma, P.Patel and Dinesh kartik also not included for the first two test matches as they were in the squad on the tour of Sri Lanka. Gautam Gambhir and Virendra Sehwag is the two specialist opener and middle order has settled look with Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Ganguly and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who also marks a return.
The bowling attack also look settled as Zaheer Khan will lead the pace bowling attack with backups like Ishant Sharma, R.P.Singh and Munaf Patel. Spin department will lead by Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble with A.Mishra might play support role if needed. Mishra, a neat and organised spinner, was included in India's Test squad to face West Indies in 2002 but did not get a game then. He subsequently made his ODI debut against South Africa in Dhaka in 2003 but fell out of national reckoning since.
Indian squad for first two Tests match against Australia: Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, MS Dhoni, Anil Kumble (Captain), S Badrinath, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma, RP Singh, Munaf Patel and Amit Mishra.
