Adam Bailey
DeanoHarmoIndia Smash the Aussies in 2nd Test
October 21st 2008 10:25
Category: Australia vs India 2nd test
Mahendra Singh Dhoni captains his way to an emphatic Indian victory in the 2nd Test at Mohali
After the Indians had hit over 300 on the first day it always seemed as though it was a bad toss for Ricky Ponting and the Australians to lose.
The host nation ended up with 469 in the first innings set up by Sourav Ganguly hitting an emotional 102 and Dhoni smashing a quick fire 92.
The only highlight for the Aussies was Peter Siddle taking 3 wickets in his Test debut.
During the change of innings someone must have taken the pitch out and replaced it because the Australians struggled from ball one.
After a lack luster performance from the top order, Mike Hussey was able to show some resistance, battling for his 54 runs.
The injury plagued Shane Watson then came to the crease and proved to his critics that he deserves to wear the Baggy Green. With some support from Brett Lee, Watson knocked up 78 and was the only Australian to look comfortable in the middle.
After the all-rounder was dismissed LBW to Indian debutant Amit Mishra, it wasn't long until Australia was all out for 268. Mishra was the main threat, taking 5 wickets in his first innings of Test cricket.
With a 201 run advantage, Indian openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir took to the Aussies with reckless abandon.
Gambhir demonstrated his sweet timing of the ball throughout the journey to his second Test century and Sehway threw his bat at everything to score a wild 90 runs.
When Captain Dhoni had joined the runs feast hitting 68 he declared and gave Australia 515 runs to chase and a day and half to get them.
The Aussie openers started aggressively and it looked as though Matthew Hayden was going to hit his way in to form. But when Harbhajan Singh picked up Hayden and Simon Katich in the same over, Australia was 2 for 49 and in a world of hurt.
The Indians soon picked up their third wicket in the shape of Ricky Ponting. Ishant Sharma produced the ball of the match to sneak through Ponting's defence and things went from bad to worse when Hussey was dismissed for 1 by Singh.
Young Australian's Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin went in to rescue mode and were able to see out the end of day four.
Five wickets down and a whole day to bat, the visitors had a major battle on their hands. Unfortunately the Aussies were not even able to make it to lunch on day five and the only highlight was Clarke scoring a determined 68.
Zaheer Kahn was the chief destroyer taking 3 wickets in 4 balls, setting up India for an early finish.
The host nation dominated the whole match scoring over 300 more runs than their opposition whilst losing 7 less wickets.
The Aussies need some of their experienced players to lead from the front in the next two Tests if they want to be competitive.
I think the selectors will also make some changes to balance the team a little better.
It seems as though the Australians are being beaten at their own game and they don't like it.
It is refreshing to see some competition for the Aussies ... actually ... now I'm over it!
- Adam Bailey
Boofhead Sports
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