Long Way to Go for India to Save Adelaide Test

By Denzil Fernandes
Daijiworld Media Network

Jan 26: The fourth Test in Adelaide goes into day three with India trying to respond to the mammoth total of 604 for 7 wickets declared by Australia in their first innings. Although India are two wickets down when play ended on day two, the batting track is still very batsman friendly which was evident from the scores that were piled up.

Overnight Australia batsmen Ponting and skipper Clarke went on to record double tons with a partnership that was worth 386 runs for the fourth wicket. They started day two in brisk style and rattled runs with ease and made it evident that the hosts were looking for quick runs with the intention of declaring their innings.

Ponting who scored 221 runs became the first Australian to record two double hundreds against India with his first double ton coming in December 2003. Skipper Clarke took only 275 balls for his 210 runs compared to Ponting’s 404 balls for his 221 runs. Indian spinner Ashwin took 3 wickets in 53 overs while giving away 194 runs on a laborious day. Zaheer got 2 wickets in 31 overs. When one compared the general body language of both the teams it was clear that Australia wanted to go 4-0 in the series while India looked not too interested in the proceedings.

India skipper Sehwag was let off with his score at 5 by Cowan but he did not benefit from the ‘life’ given. Steaming Siddle sizzled one which Sehwag hit back but found the outstretched hand of the bowler for an astonishing catch of the series. With Sehwag gone on 18 one hoped that new batsman Dravid would stay till the end of the day. But unfortunately for the Bangalorean it was not to be. Dravid (1) was gone unluckily bowled for the sixth time in the series and for the fourth successive time in the series. In his last eleven innings, Dravid has been clean bowled nine times, including six times in the present series. It has been a miserable series for India’s star batsman which may pave the way for his retirement.

With opener Gambhir on an unbeaten 30 runs partnered by Tendulkar (12) surviving till the end of the day, there is hope that these two may help India in putting up a respectable total. This is Tendulkar’s last chance to show his class in terms of an overdue century which will be worth his efforts in ensuring that India register a decent knock in the first innings. Gambhir has looked confident with his careful batting although the first session on day three will test the grit and guts of both the India batsmen. Just when play was ending on day two, skipper Clarke came in to bowl the day’s last over to a jittery Tendulkar. But luckily for India, there was no further damage and there was all round relief to see that another wicket had not been lost. Laxman and Kohli are the only other remaining batsmen who can give a fight to the opposition when play resumes on day three with India fighting back.

The pitch is looking great with not much for the pace bowlers which should encourage the Indians. There is every likelihood that spin will win and if the Indians post a total nearer to that of the Australians the match may take an interesting turn. India has Ashwin and Sehwag who can turn the ball and with a bit of luck if the Australians are dismissed cheaply in the second innings then India can hope for an unexpected win. What a win that will be !

That is however subject to both Gambhir and Tendulkar recording centuries followed by Laxman and Kohli who too have to score heavily to come nearer to the Australian total. When that happens, the self belief will come back to the Indians and a new page may turn in India’s favour.

But having witnessed the fighting qualities of the Aussies in the series so far, Clarke will ensure that his boys will fire on all cylinders and knock the wind out of the Indian batsmen. In any case, when play begins on the third day, the entire results of the Adelaide Test will be known depending on who wins that opening session. If the Indian batsmen manage to survive the morning spell, then one can see some silver lining in the distance.

It is upto the Indian batsmen who have scored well in the past elsewhere to show everyone that they can do it on their last and final run at Adelaide. It is a mammoth task against a mammoth total put up by the hosts. Will the visitors live upto the challenge and end the series with a heart warming display. Action on day three of the Adelaide test will answer your question.