India Vs Australia 4th test preview

India is going into the 4th test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy with 1-0 lead. Australia must win this test match to retain the Trophy.

Indian team composition:
The selectors called up M Vijay as back up for Gambhir as Gambhir is banned for one test match. Vijay has been in good form. He scored a double century against Maharashtra in the Ranji Trophy. If he gets a chance, it's Vireder Sehwag who has to score for the team as Vijay will be under pressure in his first match. This looks to be the only change in the indian team apart from Bhajji returning to team in place of Anil Kumble. Bhajji is one wicket away from his 300 test wickets. Amit Mishra is confident and is bowling well.

There is also a possiblity of Dravid and Sehwag open for India and bring Badrinath in. But I do't think it happens. Dravid is under pressure as he hasn't played a big innings in the series. If he is sent to open the innings, it will add more to his pressure.
So, Vijay will make his test debut.

Indian Team(Probable) : Virender Sehwag, M Vijay, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Sourav Gangly, MS Dhoni(captain & wicket-keeper), Zaheer Khan, Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Amit Mishra

This is the last test for Sourav Ganguly and the 100th test for VVS Laxman.

Australian team Composition:
Australia won the series in India after nearly 34 years by winning a test match here in 2004. It was for that match Ganguly and Harbhajan were absent. Gilchrist mentioned this in his auto-biography.

Asutralia is in a better position to win/draw the 4th test as all their batsmen are in good touch and have got some runs in the 3rd test match. Australia's only concern is their bowling line-up. They are looking at all possible options for the last test match. Ponting indicates that Stuart Clark may have to sit out and Krejza might debut. But I think Australia should drop White and bring in Krejza. White never looked dangerous and he struggled against the Indian bastmen.

Australian Team(Probable) : Simon Katich, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting(captain), Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin(wicket-keeper), Stuart Clark, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Jason Krejza

Gambhir's ban might help Australia and they might be happy as he is not playing. He is the leading run scorer, with 463 runs with 2 centuries and a fifty in three matches, in the series.

They have to concentrate on their bowling and come up with a better team effort to win the test and retain the trophy.

Kumble retires as the third test ends in a draw

The third test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia ended in a draw. Michael Clarke's century helped Australia to save the test. However, it was the Indians who created the chances for Australia to save the match by missing the simple catches.

Starting at the overnight score of 43/2 India lost Dravid early. Brett Lee dismissed Dravid by a beautiful delivery. Tendulkar and Gautam Gambhir tried to build a partnership before the opener was given out for a lbw off Mitchell Johnson. But TV replays showed the ball would have missed the leg stump. Gambhir was a bit unlucky there.

The early breakthrough gave Ozs some hope of dismissing all the Indian batsmen early and win the test to level the series. But Laxman along with Tendulkar and Ganguly shattered their hopes by giving them no chance. Tendulkar missed another half century. White dismissed him when he was on 47. Following his double hundred in the first innings, Laxman added another half-century in his second innings. He played some delightful drives in his unbeaten 59. Ganguly was on 32 when the declaration came.
Finally India declared at 208/5 after tea setting Australia a target of 245 runs to level the series. Australia scored 31 runs with both the openers remained not out.

Laxman was the man of the match for his wonderful double hundred in the first innings and a half century in the second innings.

There are a few positives to be taken for Ozs.

1. Brett Lee finally finds his rhythm.
2. All of Australian batsmen performed well.

Ricky Ponting must be happy with the way they played.

Unavailability of Harbhajan and fielding mistakes made India to compromise on a draw. Dravid's form is also a concern for India. Dravid disappointed once again and the focus will now be on his retirement now after Ganguly and Kumble.

India skipper Anil Kumble announced his retirement after the third test against Australia.

Anil Kumble said "It's a tough decision when you have played 18 years of cricket and been so competitive. But my body helped making the decision and also, this injury. I had already made the decision yesterday as I knew I won't be hundred percent for the next game. I had already decided to leave the game after this series any way."

It was a disappointing end to Kumble's great career.

India now leads series 1-0 with only one test to play at Nagpur. The fourth and final Test will be played in Nagpur from Nov 6-10.


First Day Report
Second Day Report
Third Day Report
Fourth Day Report

Australia dominates India on day-4

Australia dominated India on day-4 of the 3rd test match of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2008. Australia finished their first innings fo 577, 36 runs behind India's first innings total. Michael Clarke's timely innings with some support from Watson and White helped Australia to reduce India's first innings lead. Clarke was lucky to survive three times when he was on 21 and in 90s. He gave 3 simple catches to Ishant Sharma, Laxman and Amit Mishra. They missed thse catches and Clarke went on to score 112 before he was dismissed by Mishra. His knock was an absolute delight to watch. He was determined and timed his shots to perfection. His footwork was good. Clarke put on valuable partnerships with Watson and White.

Fielding mistakes by India, manily the simple catches, helped Australia to get into a safe position.
Sehwag picked his career best figures of 5-104. Harbhajan would have really enjoyed bowling on this pitch. Kumble finally got some wickets in this seris. He finished with 3-112. Amit Mishra took 2 wickets.

Australia put India under pressure by removing Sehwag and the nightwatchman Ishant Sharma early in India's 2nd innings. Brett Lee dismissed Sehwag for the second time in this match. Ishant Sharma was welcomed by a short pitch delivery. The ball hit his bat and was in air for sometime. Fortunately for him, the ball landed safely. But he was dismissed the next ball faced for a similar delivery off Stuart Clark by giving a simple catch to Ponting.

India's hopes of clinching the series by winning this match were destroyed by Australia. For India to win this test, they have to score quickly 2morrow morning and set a target of 250-300 in 30-35 overs before Australia and then bowl them out. I think it won't be possible without Bhajii :)...