Aussie professionalism out-done by Indian passion and spirit
The Australian’s, who are well known for their cricketing professionalism, were out-thought, out-played and out-done through some passionate and spirited fast bowling by the Indian test team, in the first test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Mohali. One
can confidently say that the second half of the match belonged to the bowlers under difficult circumstances for the batsmen.
However, man-of-the-match Zaheer Khan dominated the bowling power between the two teams, as he was able to achieve a match-winning overall performance of 8 for 137. Khan was able to enforce a master class, combining his pace with swing as a major weapon
to his armoury at Mohali. His lethal bowling combination became extremely difficult for the Aussie batsmen to negate. The Indian left arm fast bowler was able to dominate the Australian batsmen in the first innings. Khan then came back and dismantled Australia’s
lower order in the second innings as well.
Arguably, before the start of the second half of the match, was well-poised. The visiting Aussies had won a 23-run lead to go into the second innings with the momentum on their side. It was only then that Ishant Sharma produced a match winning spell as he
dismissed Shane Watson and Ricky Ponting in the same over. He then went on take Michael Clarke’s wicket. Not to forget, Sharma’s crucial contribution with the bat in the second innings.
The injured Sharma played a vital role in India’s victory as the youngster won the hearts of billions of Indian cricket fans with his batting stand of 31 runs off 92 balls. He bought time for senior batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772, who had full confidence in the tail-enders
batting potential. Between the two, Sharma faced more balls as Laxman was trying to ensure that the scorecard kept on ticking.
After the match, Laxman said, “He had been struggling with the injury. The last three-four days he has been taking injections on his leg. To come and bowl as well as he did yesterday, and then this innings was a marvellous effort.”
The batsmen further said, "What impressed me most about him was the temperament. We had little chats in the middle. And when, towards the end, Mitchell Johnson troubled him, he told me he wasn't comfortable facing him. Then only I started
to try and face more of Johnson. It was important to have that trust. There was no way I could have done it alone. But I have always had a lot of confidence in Ishant."
Nevertheless, Australia did start the match in fine style and things were going to plan as http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Watson-c96326’s 126, Ponting’s 71, Tim Paine’s 92 and Mitchell Johnson’s 43 runs allowed the Aussies to secure a total of 428 in their first innings.
Australia’s bowling prowess did not help their cause. Mitchell Johnson, despite taking five wickets in the first innings, failed to secure any wickets to his name in the second half of the match. Other wicket takers included Ben Hilfenhaus with 4 scalps,
5 wickets for Doug Bollinger, 3 wickets by Nathan Hauritz, and a wicket for Marcus North.
Australia’s plan was only affective until http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 was bowled
out for 192 in the second innings. The two Indian pace men took 3 wickets a piece while 2 wickets were taken by the spinners.
It was evident that the Indian bowlers were more adaptable and aware of Mohali’s pitch conditions. It was the level of passion and spirit of the game itself, which led them to walking that extra mile to retain their No.1 test team status in ICC Test Rankings.
On the contrary, what should have been an easy win for the visitors, Australia was simply driven off course with the intensified fighting spirit of the entire Indian team.
It is safe to say that the Mohali test was all about professionalism, planning, strategies, execution, luck, passion and spirit. The only difference which led to an Indian win was the mere fact that the Indian’s were more passionate and spirited in the match.
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