By Denzil Fernandes
Daijiworld Media Network

Jan 26: The third day of the fourth and final Test at Adelaide ended as it began with Australia on top and getting ready for the final act to complete a 4-0 whitewash of Team India. But before that India had one sole member of the team standing between victory and defeat. Young Virhat Kohli took the mantle of showing that he had enough and more ability to score when he went on to record well judged

maiden century before being the last man out for 116 runs which contained 11 fours and a solitary six. In the process, Kohli became the only century maker in the entire Test series for India unless there are others ready to knock tons in the second innings for India. There is at least Indian batsman whose hundredth century of centuries is long overdue ! One felt for another promising youngster in Rohit Sharma who was sipping tea in the pavilion instead of batting in place Laxman in the final Test.

There was total drama and comedy just when Kohli was nearing his century mark when on 99 missed a few deliveries dangerously. In between, he tried a non existent run before scrambling back and then one saw his partner at the other end Ishant Sharma trying to run himself out. One feared that Kohli would run out of partners before his century but Ishant ensured no damage with his stubborn defence. And to cap it all, Kohli forgot to take the second run when he was engrossed in celebrating his well deserved century.

India folded at 272 all out with Kohli being the last man out conceding a lead of 335 runs. Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha supported Kohli with a stubborn 35 runs in a partnership that was worth 114 runs for the sixth wicket. One interesting record of day 3 was Zaheer Khan becoming the first Indian player to record 25 ducks in Tests. There is Courtney Walsh of West Indies who has scored at least 43 ducks in Tests and leading the pack of ducks !

For Australia, Peter Siddle was the most successful bowler claiming 5 wickets while giving away 49 runs in 15 overs. Hilfenhaus picked 3 wickets and always looked dangerous.

When play ended on day 3 of the Test, Australia were ahead with an overall lead of 382 runs after having lost 3 quick wickets for 50 runs in their second innings.

The Adelaide Test is going just like the earlier ones played in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth and there looks like only one possible result which will be in favour of Australia. However, that can be avoided if the Indian bowlers strike early as soon as play starts on day four and skittle out the Aussies quickly. And, of course, the stalwarts of the visiting side have to forget their poor batting of the past in the series and start hammering runs if they intend to shock the hosts. That is a far and wild expectation but if only stand in skipper Sehwag scores in hurricane fashion everything is possible. This is the last chance for batsmen like Dravid, Tendulkar and Laxman to come good at least for once finally and end their careers with an astonishing win at Adelaide.

Surely, you may say that we are expecting too much from Team India. Not at all. If one goes by the past heroics of the Indian batters it is still possible. But for that to happen, spinner Ashwin and pacer Zaheer has to take charge and bowl the Australians out early. Skipper Clarke will be in the company of former captain Ponting when play resumes on day four and both will be hurrying up with the scoring. There is always a time in any kind of cricket that a good batsman can always lose his wicket unexpectedly in such circumstances and it is only by this rule that one expects the hosts to be all out before lunch on day four of the Test.

The need of the hour is urgency and the will to prevail. Skipper Sehwag has to get rid of his lethargic movements and ask his boys to put in that extra bit as they try to stop the Australians. This is an outside chance for the Indians to score a win if they stop the Aussie batsman from piling up runs.

This Test is going to be a ‘now or never’ affair for India if they plan to return home with a decent performance. Sehwag has to take his chances and try to do something unusual. Day four has to start with Ashwin and the skipper himself at the other end with some special overs by Zaheer. There can always be a change to the entire episode if India strike it rich and early on the fourth day of the Test.

One somehow feels that there could be some kind of excitement either way. It will be Australia confirming their superiority in the series with another emphatic win or perhaps Team India showing that they still have some fire left in their belly to perform creditably Down Under. As said before, this is one final chance for the ‘Fab Four’ of India who now have to go back home and make way for other exciting youngsters to take over from them.

Despite their shoddy show earlier, don’t write the Indians off. With a bit of luck and pluck, there may be a different tale to tell when stumps are drawn when play ends.