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Viru's maiden 2nd
Innings ton saves the Test for India |
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Scorecard
Virender
Sehwag broke the jinx of not scoring
significantly in the second innings of a Test
Match with a timely hundred. This maiden 2nd
innings ton from Viru was instrumental in India
saving the Adelaide Test. Aussies, of course won
the Test Series 2-1. The fifth day's play of the
Adelaide Test was also the last one in the
office for one of the best ever cricketers ever,
Adam Gilchrist.
India had nine wickets in hand when they came
out to bat on the final day. They lost both
Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in the first
session itself. Rahul Dravid was the first to
head back to the pavilion after getting hit on
his knuckles by a spicy short delivery from Lee.
Dravid had to retire hurt and eventually
confirmation came that he broke his finger to be
out of action for three weeks. India would have
gone to lunch without the loss of any wickets
before lunch. But a poor judgment from Sachin
Tendulkar (13 from 36) in a non-existent single
cost his wicket. India went to lunch confidently
with Virender Sehwag completing a century in the
first session itself having resumed on an
overnight score of 31.
Virender Sehwag after lunch didn't get
carried away and started to tighten up his game
for the sake of his team. His partner, Sourav
Ganguly, who looked out of sorts didn't last
long on what could be his last innings ever in
this country as he scooped one in the air off
Johnson. Ganguly contributed 18 (in 31 balls)
before he was brilliantly caught by Hussey at
short extra covers. India at this stage got to
162 for 3 and a few overs after drinks lost VVS
Laxman (12 from 30), who was caught down the
legside by the keeper off a Lee short delivery.
The lead for the Indians at this stage was 149
with a session and a half left in the Test
Match. Fortunately for the Indians, Virender
Sehwag continued to play with lot of discipline
and determination to keep his end intact.
Sehwag was helped by Dhoni and the pair saw
India through to the last session without any
further damage. After Tea, Dhoni played his
shots and with that the lead for India grew
rapidly and out of reach for the Aussies if at
all they had an opportunity to bat again.
Aussies got the wickets of both Dhoni and Sehwag
in the space of half an hour but it was too late
by then. Dhoni got 20 from 44 balls with 3 fours
and was dismissed by a breathtaking slip catch
from Hayden. Sehwag was caught behind off a
straighter one off Symonds which gave one last
memorable dismissal for Gilchrist behind the
stumps. Sehwag had done his job by playing an
outstanding knock under pressure which gave him
a standing ovation even from the Australian
crowd! He made 151 (from 236 balls with 11 fours
and 2 sixes) out of the 253 runs that were
scored by his team then! With no chance of
either side winning, the Test Match came to a
stalemate in the last half an hour with India at
a decent 269 for 7 having battled it out for 90
overs.
The presentation ceremony was all about the
tributes to Adam Gilchrist, who was with his
wife and three kids. The Player of the Series
went to Brett Lee for his hard work right
through the series. The Player of the Match was
a surprising one as it was given to Sachin
Tendulkar for his first innings 153 and not
Virender Sehwag for his 63 and 151 along with a
couple of wickets! Both teams have a much bigger
match to play off the field tomorrow as the
Harbhajan Singh case comes up to hearing. Things
have again become dramatic with the news of a
stump microphone evidence coming up against the
accused.
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