India v http://www.senore.com/Cricket/New-Zealand-c754 - 3rd Test: Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar look strong
Indian old guards Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar played anchor roles for their team after a spirited reply by the young gun Gautam Gambhir and explosive Virender Sehwag.
The veteran duo is building up India's strong reply with unbeaten half-centuries in the series' decider third and final Test against the Kiwis and a win will strengthen India’s number one claim even more.
With the assault led by Virender Sehwag, Indian got off to a flier in their first innings. The opener hit New Zealand bowlers to all corners of the park. The hitting pinch was felt especially by the fast bowler Tim Southee and left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori.
Sehwag brought up his half-century in style as he struck Tim Southee for two consecutive boundaries before hitting a huge six to Kiwi skipper Vettori to cross the fifty-run mark for the 26th time in his Test career.
He didn’t stop there and struck three more consecutive strikes to the boundary but was undone by his own attacking display as he gifted a return catch to Vettori. Sehwag’s dismissal brought some relief to the opposition who were mere spectators till the
time he was at the crease. Under-fire Gautam Gambhir got his form back as he too made a steady half century to get his touch back which saw him climb to the top position in Test batting rankings.
He looked a bit nervous during the initial phase of his innings but made a fighting 78 runs which came off 127 balls with the help of 12 boundaries. His innings came to an end when he was held by Ross http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Taylor-c92915 in the slip-cordon of Tim Southee.
Gambhir was full of praise for his opening partner and admitted that it was Sehwag who took the pressure of his shoulder. He said that batting becomes easy once you have Sehwag at the other end as he is an impact player and attacks the opposition right from
the word go. He further added that no matter whosoever is the opposition he always plays his natural game whether he is playing a Test match, One-day International or Twenty20.
After the demise of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gautam-Gambhir-c58623, the Indian ship was steadied by two living greats, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar.
Sachin was welcomed by bouncers but he hanged on. Later, the little master displayed some breathtaking strokes on both sides of the wicket, sending seven strokes to the boundary. At the end of the play, Sachin was not out on 57.
It was Tendulkar’s 59th half century of his Test career much to the joy of the home crowd who worship him as a cricket God. He was well supported by http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rahul-c83321 Dravid who played in his usual sedate fashion, contributing a gutsy 69 runs laced with eight
fours.
The good news for http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 is that their two most experienced batsmen are still at the crease. Dravid was equally calm in his second wicket partnership with Gambhir as they added 79 runs for the second stand.
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