Tendulkar leads the way as India fight back

Font Size

Print

Feedback

Email

Discuss

Related Articles

India look to get into the ODI groovePonting, Hayden doubtful in 1st ODITendulkar unlikely to play in Melbourne gamePonting ruled out of T20 clash with back injury

Sharma (27) for the final two wickets.

As many as 187 runs were raised for the final three wickets by the visitors to leave the home attack completely flattened.

Turning out for probably the last time at an SCG Test, Tendulkar produced a virtuoso performance and ensured the good work of the second-day centurion VVS Laxman did not go to the waste bin.

The day began at 216 for three for the visitors and overnight batsmen Ganguly and Tendulkar lost little time in taking charge of the bowling.

Ganguly thumped Lee for two silken fours through the off-side and when spinners came on to attack, he went to top gear effortlessly.

He smashed left-arm spinner Brad Hogg over mid-on, treated Michael Clarke in similar manner and was generally harsh on the spinners.

Both batsmen had things completely under control when Ganguly, in trying to force the issue, fell to Hogg by hoisting a catch to mid-off.

India then wobbled with Yuvraj Singh (12) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (2) leaving the stage swiftly and when skipper Anil Kumble (2) also fell, Lee had grabbed his fourth wicket of the innings.

Yuvraj was softened up by two snorters while Dhoni's troubles with rising deliveries show no signs of abating.

At 345 for seven, India were in danger of conceding a 100-plus lead to Australia when Harbhajan, in the company of Tendulkar, wrought a turnaround with some thumping strokeplay.

The off-spinner drove and cut powerfully and his bluster, with the aid of a dropped catch from Adam Gilchrist off Stuart Clark, drove Australia to desperation.

Harbhajan finally fell to Mitchell Johnson when he pushed at a leg-cutter and spooned a catch to the gully region. The ebullient Sikh made 63 from 92 balls with eight fours.

But the bonus for India did not end with Harbhajan as the final two batsmen, RP Singh (13) and Ishant Sharma (27) also raised important runs with Tendulkar.