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TVS Cup: India v Australia

Thursday, November 13 2003

The red hot Australian's continued their run of form and their run of victories with a scorching batting performance against a clueless Indian bowling lineup.

The beautiful garden city of Bangalore was host for this match, another do or die match for India who are too close with New Zealand for their liking. India's team looking much like the World Cup outfit which raced to the finals.

Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag, Anil Kumble and Ashish Nehra were notable inclusions to bolster the squad. Australia had the notable Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist partnership restored for them at the top.

On a flat surface, which was ideal for batting, Ricky Ponting won the toss and had no hesitation in batting. The inexperienced Indian left arm fast bowler combination of Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra once again suffered at the hands of the brutal Adam Gilchrist.

Nehra's first over went for a huge 15 runs, as Gilchrist gave Nehra harsh and brutal treatment with beautiful cut shots and smashing drives. Australia continued in the same vain, as the Australian 50 was brought up in just the 8th over.

Adam Gilchrist raced to his half century, and already both Nehra and Zaheer were going for over 8 and 5 runs an over respectively. The lucky break came for India when indecision in running between the wickets caused Hayden to lose his wicket, run out for a fine 44.

Ricky Ponting got off to a nervous and sedate start, as Murali Kartik and Anil Kumble contained him nicely at the initial stages of his innings. However with Ponting ready to play the anchor role, Adam Gilchrist raced away to reach another brutally majestic century in his career.

With the score at 198, Anil Kumble had Gilchrist pulling a slowish delivery which went straight down the throat of Zaheer Khan who was there to take the catch. Gilchrist out for an extremely entertaining 111, and already 300+ was on the cards for India.

With the dismissal of Gilchrist, it seemed like a World Cup Final repeat all over again. Ricky Ponting changed from first gear all the way to fifth in a matter of an over. Ponting launched into the Indian spinners, dispatching Yuvraj and Kumble over the rope on the full.

Ponting raced away into the 70's and at one stage had no fours against his name, but five gloriously timed and brutal sixes. Martyn played the aggressive anchor role to perfection as he reached his half century, and Australia went past their 300, a total India would never be able to achieve.

Ricky Ponting's wonderfully timed innings reached a milestone as he registered another ODI century, his second on Indian soil. The two continued on and Australia at the conclusion of their 50 overs, amassed a huge total of 2/347 with the help of their captain and vice captain, and ofcourse some very poor bowling.

The Bangalore crowd of 45,000 strong were still as vocal as ever, as they expected an entertaining fight from the dashing Indian batsman, and indeed a fight is what the Australian's got. Sachin Tendulkar began the proceedings for India in his characteristically elegant and aggressive fashion.

Tendulkar raced along into the 20's with some beautiful leg glances and powerful drives. Tendulkar could not get the same amount of support from the other end, as the out of form Virender Sehwag struggled to get into double figures.

However Sehwag managed to keep his wicket intact, and with Sachin Tendulkar at the crease, Sehwag rid himself of his shell and started playing some aggressive cuts and heaves to get India off to a good start. Tendulkar scored at a run a ball and registered his 64th ODI half century in his career.

All eyes were on Tendulkar to deliver and somehow win the match for India, and Tendulkar obliged with some wonderful entertainment for the Bangalore crowd. However, Sehwag fell for 39 to the deceptive Ian Harvey just as momentum was finally starting to swing India's way.

VVS Laxman made a quickfire 18, before part-time left arm spinner, Michael Clarke dismissed him. Laxman tried to aggressively go over the top, only to be caught by Andrew Symonds. Tendulkar continued in the same vain, scoring boundaries at will as he raced into the 70's.

Indian captain, Sourav Ganguly dealt with Michael Clarke severly as the Indian captain dispatched the inexperienced bowler for three consecutive fours off his expensive over.
With the score at 172, the Bangalore crowd were silenced as the little master, Tendulkar was bowled by the deceptive Ian Harvey for a wonderful 89.

India had given Australia a tough fight, and Sourav Ganguly continued to fight in the same vain. But India's fate suffered another blow, as Ganguly was out for 37 once again trying to go over the top. With the run rate climbing, Dravid fell shortly for a quickfire 34, as India were looking down at another loss.

Young guns, Yuvraj and Kaif didn't provide the solution India were looking for either, as both fell cheaply for 20 and 8 respectively. With the match certain of an Australian win, Anil Kumble and Murali Kartik batted out the 50 overs to leave India at 8/286 giving Australia victory by 61 runs.


Brief Score Summary:

Australia: 2/347 (Gilchrist 111, Ponting 108*, Martyn 61*, Kumble 1/60)

India: 8/286 (Tendulkar 89, Sehwag 39, Ganguly 37, Symonds 3/42, Harvey 2/71)

Australia won by 61 runs

Cricket Web Player of the Match: Adam Gilchrist (AUS)


Posted by Sangrah