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A packed house at the Sydney Cricket Ground was rescued from watching a one-sided boring game under lights on a Sunday thanks to an unbelievably good show from Team India. Although the Aussies won 10th match of the CB Series, it was all about a few Indian players who put up a terrific fightback. Australia made a huge 317 in the afternoon with Skipper Ricky Ponting making his bat talk after a cheap sell out in the IPL. The match was as good as over once India slipped quickly to a dismal 51 for 4 but the story of the day was something else.

The Aussies after winning the toss decided to bat first on what looked to be a dead batting track, the first of its kind in all the 10 matches! They were off to a flier with Gilchrist striking three fours until he got a magical indipper which forced an inside edge. It was a spark of brilliance from both the bowler - Sreesanth to produce such a delivery and the wicket keeper - MS Dhoni to take a quick low catch diving to his right. After that moment, there was hardly any joy for the Indian bowlers with Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting taking charge of the game. The platform was being set for a massive total.

All India could do on this batsman's paradise was to slow things down. Dhoni found some success through Harbhajan and Sehwag. The much needed breakthrough finally came their way with Hayden getting run out at the non-striker's end because of a superb piece of fielding from Rohit Sharma at covers. Hayden's damage was cut short to a knock of 54 from 62 (with 5 fours and a six). The base was nicely set though by him along with Ponting at 131 for 2 in the 21st over. From there onwards, the Aussies batted accordingly to post 317 for 7. Ponting got his form back with his 26th hundred. The Australian Skipper batted right till the penultimate over making 124 from 133 with 7 fours and a six. He put on another century stand in the innings which was with Symonds, who provided the muscle power at the death with a 49-ball 59 (with 6 fours and 2 sixes). Also amongst the runs for the Aussies was Michael Clarke with a smooth 31 from 38. Among the bowlers, Irfan Pathan took the stick with figures of none for 73 in 9 overs.

When India came out to bat, they yet again lost Sachin Tendulkar early. Unfortunately, Tendulkar hasn't found any success in coming good whenever India has had to chase a big target. He was sent back in the first over itself by a speedy inswinger from Brett Lee which trapped infront. Sehwag, who was looking good having got 17 got a deft touch to the keeper off a probing Stuart Clark. Another couple of edges were taken behind by Gilchrist in the next couple of overs and India were out of the contest losing 4 wickets. Rohit Sharma and Yuvraj Singh were the two to go without making an impact. That left India with just Gautam Gambhir and MS Dhoni. The mission for them was just to bat through as long as possible to save India from an embarrassingly huge defeat.

Gambhir and Dhoni could achieve their mission nicely and the pair brought some slim hopes of winning the match. It was yet again Brett Lee to be spoilsport for the Indians as he got Dhoni to nick one behind in the 31st over. Dhoni made a patient 36 from 66 with 4 fours to take India to 149 for 5. Gautam Gambhir was rewarded for his stay at the crease with a well deserved hundred which was full of cuts, pulls, drives along with some very good running. Gambhir (113 in 119 with 9 fours and a six) finally got out in the 40th over at a score of 216 for 6 when he dragged his backfoot out of his crease playing a slog sweep off Hogg.

India still went onto make an impressive 299 before getting bowled out in the final over. Robin Uthappa, who had started off his innings with a breathtaking pull off Lee over long on for a six tried his very best to win the match. He made a quick fire 51 from 46 (with 4 fours and a six). Uthappa was well complemented by Pathan (22 from 21) and Harbhajan Singh who gave fitting reply to all the boos he had got with a 11-ball 20. It was only at the start of the 46th over that the Indians were in a realistic chance of winning the match with 42 needed in 24 balls. Brett Lee destroyed them with the dismissals of Harbhajan and Uthappa in consecutive deliveries in the 48th over. The speedster took 5 for 58 in 9.1 overs. Ricky Ponting was the Man of the Match.

India are now in a must-win situation in their last league game against Sri Lanka at Hobart to make it to the Finals. Sri Lanka still have two more games and have 6 points compared to India's 12.

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