test 2, day 4 report
Day 4, Rahul Dravid, who was 199* overnight, brought his 200 up in the very 1st ball off the day with a cover drive for 4 off McGill as India continued from their overnight score of 477/7. Kumble, gave him full support from the other end as he kept on blocking deliveries. McGill, finally struck removing Kumble out lbw. Kumble, who mainly played straight, tried to go across the line in this ball and was out. Irfan Pathan, who was the next batsman in, it was a bit too much of an ask from him. For Rahul Dravid, the field was open and he kept dropping singles and 2s. For Irfan, the field was close in and he was being given only 2-3 balls an over to play off. Off a McGill full toss, Irfans eyes lit up and he decided to step out and hit a 4, but he was out caught and bowled as McGill took a great catch. Nehra, who was the next batsman in, didnt get too much off a chance as it was Dravid, at the other end who kept the strike. Finally, Dravid was out caught at deep mid-on for 233. India, were all out for 523 conceding a small lead of 33 to the Aussies.
Aussie batting, Agarkar bowled with a lot of aggression and even sacrificed his pace to get more swing. Irfan, was wayward in his 1st over, but improved his line and length later on and even troubled the aussie batsman. Agarkar, took 2 quick wickets of Langer and Ponting to leave Aus struggling at 18/2. Langer, was out lbw and then Aggy also removed Ponting out caught by Chopra at point who took a good catch. Aus, by lunch were 21/2.
2nd session, Irfan and Agarkar continued on the good work from the 1st session. Nehra, who was the next bowler in, struck in his very 2nd ball, to remove Hayden caught by Sehwag at cover, who took a great catch diving forward. Aus, at this stage were 44/3 with a lead of 77. At this stage, Waugh and Martyn put on a useful partnership playing some sensible cricket to bring Australia right back into the match. Waugh, was the more aggressive of the 2 and Martyn gave him full support from the other end. For India, Sachin Tendulkar, who was brought in before tea, was wayward to start with, but he got the turn from the pitch as well. Although Tendulkar was taken away for a few runs, but he also took 2 useful wickets of Martyn and Waugh in the same style just before tea to bring India right back into the match as Aus were 112/5. Both of them were caught in the 1st slip by Dravid. The catch of Martyn was great as Dravid dived to his right to take the catch. At tea, Aus were 112/5 off 34.1 overs.
3rd session, Kumble and Sachin bowled well getting a bit of turn from the pitch, but Gilchrist, took them apart for runs. When Gilchrist was on 14, he stepped out to hit a turning Kumble delivery, but then the keeper Parthiv missed a relatively easy stumping chance. Gilchrist, made the Indians pay for it, as he began hitiing the bowlers all over the park. Tendulkar, was now replaced by Agarkar. With Aus on 183/5, it looked as if Aus were taking the match away from India, but then it was the unfamiliar Aussie collapse triggered by Kumble and Agarkar taking the last 5 Aussie wickets for just 13 runs to leave Aus 196 all out. Kumble started it, having Gilchrist clean bowled around his legs. Bichel, was also out clean bowled by Aggy in the very next over. Aggy, once again struck removing Katich out caught at square leg by Ashish Nehra, who took a simple catch. It was a dream spell for Aggy, as he took his first 4 wicket haul in tests. But, his dream spell was not yet over. In his sensational spell, Aggy took 4 wickets in 4 successive overs to clean up the Aussie tail.
For India, they were set a tricky target of 230 in 100 overs to win the game at 2.3 rpo. Sehwag, set the chase up as he hit a cover drive for 4 off the 1st very ball he faced. Sehwag, was aggressive and didnt allow the aussie bowlers to get on top. Sehwag, hit 25 off just 27 balls today. Chopra, gave him solid support from the other end hitting a patient 10. For tommorow, India should win the game comfortably as India need just 193 runs to win with all 10 wickets intact.
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