 25 January 2008
India began the day with probably the target of around 400 in their mind. Dhoni who was looking a shadow of himself yesterday played some free strokes before being caught at point boundary trying to uppercut a bowl from Mitchell Jhonson. His dismissal was soon follwed by a spell of short pitch bowling to Indian batsmen and it eventually paid off when Tendulkar top edged a hook shot to Brad Hogg at fine leg to give Lee his third wicket of the innings.
Tendulkars dismissal brought Harbhajan to the crease and the sight of 400 was looking distant for the Indian team with Australia going all out for the wickets. The first ball that Harbhajan faced he tried to play a slog shot. He was immediately spoken to by Indian captain Anil Kunble and was asked to apply himself. From then on both of them put on annoying 107 runs parternship with both of them going on to complete half centuries.
Even though Harbhajan was out after scoring his 50 the Australians did not helped themselves by dropping 3 chances to dismiss Ishant Sharma and allowing the last wicket stand to grow to 58 and India eventually finished the first innings at 526 runs with Anil Kumble being last man dismissed for well made 87 runs.
Australia were bolsted by the comeback of Matthew Hayden and it showed in their reply. The openors made a confident 62 runs for the opening stand and see the day through. India will try to get the 10 Australian wickets as quickly because batting on the Adelaide wicket gets difficult on days 4 and 5. |
