Tons of runs

The batsmen held sway at the Kotla as the third Test meandered to a draw. Y.B. Sarangi reports.

A batsman-friendly track and India’s inability to create enough opportunities on the field dented its chance of sealing a series win in the third Test against Australia in Delhi.

Enjoying a 1-0 lead in the series and coming to Ferozeshah Kotla — where India had the record of winning seven back-to-back Tests — the host smelt a real chance to regain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy before the last match in Nagpur. As desired, the toss was won and a mountain of runs — 613 for seven declared — was made. But the Indian bowlers could not curb the determined Aussies and the butter-fingered fieldsmen helped the visitors deny India an eight-in-a-row victory at the 60-year-old international venue.

The drawn Test match, forgettable for its last three dreary days, however, had some memorable moments to offer: Indian opener Gautam Gambhir displayed excellent patience and cool-headedness to notch up his first double hundred (206) in Tests and that too on his home ground. V. V. S. Laxman shook off the rust to rediscover his silken strokeplay and hit a double century (200 not out) to create a unique record (of two batsmen scoring double tons in an innings) for the country. Another home town boy, Virender Sehwag, spun the ball like a veteran in the business to earn his first five-for and, last but not the least, the greatest bowler India ever had, Anil Kumble, brought the curtain down on his illustrious career.

Gambhir received plenty of compliments for his double century as he showed a lot of character, maturity and level-headedness during the knock. He showed that he has a good understanding of the game and he can adapt to different situations well. The other aspect of the knock told a lot about his strength of character. Despite a couple of run-ins with Shane Watson and Simon Katich, he held his composure to achieve his mission. “The Australians were desperate to get me out so they tried different things. They wanted to spoil my concentration and I did not want to lose my concentration,” he said on the duels.

For giving it back to Shane Watson, Gambhir was banned for one Test by Match Referee Chris Broad as the Englishman found the Delhi player guilty of elbowing the lanky Australian. Despite that, Gambhir came out to play another crucial knock of 36 runs in the second innings. He, however, has appealed against the ban.

On the other hand, Laxman’s was a classy act. At the time of need, the Very Very Special willower brought up his second double century which appeared to be a replica of his monumental 281 in Kolkata seven years ago against the same opponent. Personally for Laxman, the innings was life-infusing to his career which, of late, had been battered by a barrage of criticism.

After silencing his detractors with his bat, Laxman chose to speak his mind aloud.

“People decide for us (when to retire). Someone who is playing for so long knows when to retire. We are not asking for respect, but at least don’t degrade us,” was his cutting remark.

The third century-maker of the Test was Australian vice-captain Michael Clarke who was lucky to be dropped thrice on way to a match-saving hundred. Feasting on the largesse of the Indian fielders, Clarke helped Australia score a strong reply (577 all out) to the host’s mammoth total.

Seeing that there was not much time left to push for a result, India batted slowly in the second innings for a score of 208 for five declared as Laxman hit an unbeaten half century (59). With Kumble’s retirement news coming in and the draw being an inevitability, Australia being asked to bat in the second essay (31 for no loss) was only a formality to give the Indian captain a befitting farewell.

The Scores

Third Test, Ferozeshah Kotla, Delhi, Oct. 29 to Nov. 2. Match drawn.

India —1st innings: G. Gambhir b Watson 206; V. Sehwag lbw b Lee 1; R. Dravid c Hayden b Johnson 11; S. R. Tendulkar c Haddin b Johnson 68; V. V. S. Laxman (not out) 200; S. C. Ganguly c Ponting b Katich 5; M. S. Dhoni c Haddin b Watson 27; A. Kumble lbw b Johnson 45; Z. Khan (not out) 28; Extras (b-6, lb-8, w-2, nb-6) 22; Total (for seven wkts. decl.) 613.

Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-27, 3-157, 4-435, 5-444, 6-481, 7-579.

Australia bowling: Lee 30-2-119-1; Clark 33-9-69-0; Johnson 32-4-142-3; Watson 20-4-66-2; White 15-1-73-0; Clarke 14-0-59-0; Katich 15-3-60-1; Ponting 2-0-11-0.

Australia 1st innings: M. L. Hayden lbw b Sehwag 83; S. M. Katich b Mishra 64; R. T. Ponting b Sehwag 87; M. E. K. Hussey b Sehwag 53; M. J. Clarke c Khan b Mishra 112; S. R. Watson b Sehwag 36; B. J. Haddin st. Dhoni b Kumble 17; C. L. White b Sehwag 44; B. Lee lbw b Kumble 8; M. G. Johnson c & b Kumble 15; S. R. Clark (not out) 1; Extras (b-28, lb-17, w-2, nb-10) 57; Total 577.

Fall of wickets: 1-123, 2-202, 3-284, 4-326, 5-399, 6-426, 7-532, 8-555, 9-567.

India bowling: Khan 23-5-86-0; Sharma 25-5-84-0; Kumble 43.3-9-112-3; Mishra 47-12-144-2; Sehwag 40-9-104-5; Tendulkar 1-0-2-0.

India 2nd innings: G. Gambhir lbw b Johnson 36; Sehwag b Lee 16; I. Sharma c Ponting b Clark 1; R. Dravid b Lee 11; S. R. Tendulkar c Hayden b White 47; V. V. S. Laxman (not out) 59; S. C. Ganguly (not out) 32; Extras (lb-4, w-1, nb-1) 6; Total (for five wkts. decl.) 208.

Fall of wickets: 1-29, 2-34, 3-53, 4-93, 5-145.

Australia bowling: Lee 17-3-48-2; Clark 12-6-22-1; Clarke 20.3-7-56-0; Katich 1-0-5-0; Johnson 12-0-23-1; White 8-0-23-1; Watson 7-0-27-0.

Australia 2nd innings: M. L. Hayden (not out) 16; S. M. Katich (not out) 14; Extras (lb-1) 1; Total (for no loss) 31.

India bowling: Kumble 4-0-14-0; Sehwag 2-0-14-0; Mishra 2-0-2-0.