India vs Australia 2010

Gambhir and Sehwag both gone, and Sehwag's wicket a real big one for Australia. It again makes the game evenly poised with a very important third day tomorrow.

Paine played really well today but India's fielding and esp Dhoni's keeping was very poor. well deserved 5 wicket haul for Zaheer, as I said he makes a big difference to this Indian side.

Sehwag certainly the most consistent and the most destructive batsman around, not often that we see those two attributes together!

At 245/4 India are well placed, Sachin and Raina batting. I am shocked that Watson has not been used at all, for a man who certainly bowls well in sub continental conditions esp with the old ball it is rather surprising that Ponting has not even considered him. Im sure if given the ball he can get wickets even at this stage, but may be Ponting won't. but why? esp when the man has taken two 5-for's in the last series that Australia have played. Very very strange indeed!

Watson is much more than just a part timer for me Milky, it think he should be used more often.

Anyways, excellent stuff by Mitchell Johnson, I;d say one of his finest performance, against India in India on a flat pitch getting a 5-for says a lot about how far Johnson has come. I have never rated him that highly but this is a really special effort. Also a top effort by Raina, he has always been a heavy scorer in the Ranji Trophy games and now he has shown that in the test matches. As for Sachin, just when will he lose his touch, may be even at age 50 he'll keep scoring those tons, what a player!

Lead of 23 then for Australia, I wonder if they will try to score quickly and go for a win, that will be very risky though considering the Sehwag effect, India will have a real chance if they can bowl Australia out tomorrow.

Yup, this 5-for probably even more important than Zaheer's. Really tough for any foreign quick to do well on such a crap wicket.
If Watson and Katich get cracking tomorrow morning then this could be a great contest. Watto and Punter look in form, Katich made a ton in the warm up so he'll be looking to avenge his first innings effort and Clarke plays spin well. Top 4 is the key for Australia. The lower order is also very decent... it's the middle order (North and Hussey) which is the concern.

In other matters. Will Sharma be 100%  fit? And will Laxman  be able to make a real contribution in the 2nd innings?

He's the one bowler in this series who has a lot of firepower about him. It's what you need in some respects. Straight up medium pace won't do it on some wickets. Zaheer was getting excellent reverse swing, while for Johnson it was the variation in length and sharp pace through the air that got him his wickets.
Hauritz's figures were cleaned up with 2 wickets at the end, could have grabbed Suresh Raina earlier but Paine missed a stumping. Can't help but feel he's still out of his depth, he's certainly the guy they target and his not doing enough to trouble the batsmen. And what about North getting Sachin out? Probably enough to justify his selection

Not forgetting that North is on a pair...

Edited by Max Power - 04 October 2010 at 9:11am

Hussey has been given out LBW to a ball that has pitched way outside leg, I don't understand why it was given out. Anyway, looks like India can bag this test.

Cant understand why India does not opt for the review system. Anyways - brilliant stuff from their bowlers and its India's to lose now. I think it will be a pretty easy journey in pursuit of 216 runs. Have t say Zaheer reverses it better than many around.

Hilfenhaus to Gambhir, out Lbw!! The umpires have had a forgettable day so far, the poorest of decisions from Billy, Gambhir got a big inside edge onto the pads as he moved forward, it was a good delivery nevertheless, there was no movement on that one, Gambhir is livid with that decision, he is cursing his luck as he walks back to the pavilion, the Aussies are celebrating and why not! That's a big wicket! Gambhir lbw b Hilfenhaus 0(4)

Good that India persists not to have the review system.

GOT HIM!!!!!! HILFENHAUS YOU BEAUTY!!!!!
4 WICKETS DOWN FOR 48, RAINA GONE!
What a thriller!!

Only 1 over left apparently..

Sehwag didn't play his natural game. He should have attacked the bowlers from the start. Maybe the wicket of Gambhir stopped him to do that.
Tendulkar is the key wicket. He is the only man who can win it for India now. Dont expect much from Dhoni. Dhoni is a very successful player but only because of the great players in his team who all understands the game very well. Dhoni is always hiding when the team is in trouble. When the team is doing well then he comes sometimes at no. 3.

That has been my observation too - Dhoni never turns up when they are in trouble. Sachin remains the key. Aussies will have to rely on the seamers - dont think Hauritz will get much to bowl

Originally posted by zuhair_abbasi That has been my observation too - Dhoni never turns up when they are in trouble.

Raina bats like an idiot. Did you see some of the swipes he played in his first innings. Should have been stumped by Paine and he had a lot of luck. The guy lacks the temperament to play tests and his technique against short bowling will be exposed. Forget the runs he's scored in SL, they were flat wickets. Badrinath should consider himself unlucky to not be in the side.