Cricket India Vs Australia: Intense Struggle In Delhi Test!

Nathan Lyon

At last when the Series is a foregone conclusion Australia showed today why they were considered the best in cricket not very long ago. With Aussie skipper Michael Clarke having left for home following his back problems, and Shane Watson returning from the disciplinary action plus reaction to take up the leadership, Australia still managed to regroup tremendously and showed intensity both in bowling and in fielding as they have been used to, and they seemed to be back at their aggressive best attacking the Indians in more ways other than strictly cricketing so characteristic with the Australian cricket teams. Call these mind games, sledging, or whatever. The most important thing being they managed to put India on the mat leaving the match wide open on a tricky Delhi pitch.

At stumps on the second day of the fourth cricket Test match between India and Australia for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2013 in Delhi today India had to struggle every inch of the way to finally take a slender lead of 4 runs losing as many as 8 wickets. The dry and turning pitch offered uneven bounce with the odd ball keeping low and the Australian bowlers, Nathan Lyon who took a five haul, Siddle and Mitchell Johnson in particular, bowled their heart out never allowing India to build a partnership except for the opening one between Vijay (57) and Pujara (52). Tendulkar (32), Dhoni (24) and Jadeja (43) had good starts, but could not build on those. Virat Kohli and Rahane, replacement for injured Shikhar Dhawan, flopped miserably to add to the Indian woes. At 266/8, India have no genuine batsman left on the crease to hope rather optimistically for a big lead. Australian spinner Lyon finally mustered the tricks of bowling on Indian turners and his effort had come a little too late.

Australia struggled too on the first day yesterday and at 136/7, the match looked set to get over in three days. However, as in the Mohali Test the eight wicket partnership rescued Australia again with Smith (46) and Siddle (51) fighting it out. The ninth wicket partnership too yielded more than fifty runs thanks to a stubborn 30 by pacer Pattinson. Interestingly, a fast bowler made the only half century of the innings. Australia progressed to a respectable 262 and those runs by the tailenders could prove crucial. Traling 0-3 in the Series Australia consistently won the toss every time though and this toss in Delhi could also prove crucial considering the behavior of the pitch only on the second day. For India Ravichandran Ashwin achieved a five-wicket haul yet again. The Scorecard:

Cricket fans today could not take their eyes off their television sets. This is only to get keener and edgier tomorrow and maybe the day after. Get ready for a Sunday treat. Just anything could happen. Be wise and do not try predicting.