VS Laxman guides India to a remarkable victory
When the last day of the Test match between http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 started, nobody would have predicted that India will go on to win the match but VVS Laxman starred with the bat to guide the hosts to an unbelievable victory.
Laxman, who has proved to be a jinx for the Australians, came back to haunt them with a defiant half century which ensured a 1-0 lead for the Indians which might very well prove to be the innings of the series.
Ponting had previously said that an early advantage in the first Test match may very well decide which team will go on to clinch the Test series as it is not easy to comeback in a two Test match series.
Ricky Ponting started the day with a different strategy by opting to have a spinner from one end and the fast bowler from the other. Initially, it did work out in the favour of the Aussies. Indian night-watchman Zaheer Khan was removed by off spinner Nathan
Hauritz, when he was caught at slip by Michael http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Clarke-c51120.
Zaheer’s departure signalled Laxman’s arrival but he wasn’t alone as he was accompanied by a runner. The Indian match winner earlier had batted on number ten in the first innings due to a stiff back. He wasn’t well in the second innings as a well and a came
out with a runner.
Meanwhile, the Australians pressed hard to wrap up the innings. Ben Hilfenhaus, bowled equally well from the other hand but he was very unlucky not to get a wicket early on as his swinging deliveries were missing the edges of the bat regularly. His opening
spell produced no wickets.
Sachin Tendulkar was rock solid and didn’t look to be bothered by the early loss of Zaheer Khan. He stood on the crease for a long time and pounced on to the lose deliveries whenever the chance came his way. In the process, Sachin went on to complete thousand
runs in a calendar year. But shortly after another personal landmark, the little master got out after trying to cut a wide ball from Doug Bollinger which was held by Michael Hussey at gully.
The Indians were under immense pressure with defeat looming, requiring another 97 runs with only four wickets in hand. This was when http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mahendra-Singh-Dhoni-c73820 came out to bat.
The Indian skipper, who is normally a cool head cricket in such conditions, was run out by Ben Hilfenhaus after adding only two runs on the board. His dismissal exposed the Indian tail and Ponting’s men started to sense a victory.
Harbhajan Singh like Dhoni got out on two when Bollinger removed him and India were facing defeat when they were left at 124 for eight. Fast bowler Ishant Sharma walked in to the crease with defeat written all over the Indian dressing room. However, against
everyone’s expectations, Sharma played a solid innings, complementing his partner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772 against a pumped up Australian bowling line up which tried to break the partnership.
Laxman and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ishant-Sharma-c64566 added 81 runs for the ninth wicket partnership before Ishant was trapped plumb in front of the wickets by Hilfenhaus. He made a value able 31 to bring India closer to the victory. The Australians needed just one wicket to win the
match where as the hosts needing eleven more runs.
The game was hanging in the balance with either of the sides in a position to come out victorious. Pragyan Ojha hanged in but VVS Laxman proved to be the difference between the two teams, guiding his side to an outstanding win.
Both Dhoni and Ponting praised the heroics of Laxman with Ponting admitting that he knew Laxman was going to be the key on the day. Ponting said that deep inside his head he was thinking that the one man who can spoil the party for the Australians was Laxman
and eventually, he proved to be the hero for India.
Tags: