GameDay, Day-III, India Vs Australia
Bangalore, Oct 6-10th.

Yesterday, I was kind of sure that India would not pass the 200 mark, I simply overestimated our "tail", tail enders proved me wrong. Patel, Irfan and Kumble played a determined game, and frustrated the Aussie bowlers. They did not fall for the traps. India was making a steady progress towards avoiding the follow on. But, India from 150/6 went on to score 246, around 30 runs short to avoid the follow on.

Surprise! Aussies did not enforce the follow on. It seems they had a different game plan or I call it “the Kolkata trauma” or may be they were worried about facing the music of Harbajan and Kumble in the 4th innings. Pitch will be turning more from tomorrow [picked from Sanjay Manju’s expert comments], but the fact is why worry when Kumble & spin is a known example of an oxymoron.
With a lead of 225 Aussies came in to bat and lost Langer at once to a beauty from Irfan, Langer however was not happy with the LBW decision, walked away shaking his head. Aussies were 0/1.

But very soon, Zeezee “made of clay” khan started to bowl his regular donkey drops and gave away too many runs. That forced Ganguly to get Harbajan into the attack, he started to turn the ball quite well at once, Gangully for change did not adhere to his astrologer, instead he placed a good attacking field. Not worrying about the runs or his astrologer.

Hayden was beaten couple of times, and then came the Run out, a direct throw from Harbajan found Hayden shot by 2 inches. Reply confirmed it, and he was out, a section of Bangalore crowd started to cheer at least to boost the morale of their fellow spectators, Harbajan’s reaction time to pick the ball and hit the stumps was less than a second, amazing reflex work from this determined Sikh.
Aussies were 65/2, Martin came him, slowly was threatening to settle down for a big score. Katich was also playing well, though Hayden’s departure slowed the scoring rate.

Katich chased a ball from Kumble was out caught by Dravid, according to TV statistician this was his 100the catch. Having got a quick wicket, Kumble suddenly went to his dumb mode,; he started to bowl faster and short. Nothing worked for him for next 30 minutes, however settled in a good line and length. Aussies were struggling to play our spinners. Lehmann never played spin well from the day he was conceived, his agony ended when he was out for 14. Aussies were 104 for 4, about 325 runs ahead.
At close of play Aussie were 127/4 with Clarke and Martin playing well. [355 ahead] For some reason DD did not show Clarke’s parents when he walked in to bat.

Tomorrow we need to wait and watch the boasted Indian batting lineup taking on the straight in line bowling of McGrath and co, and banana spin for Shane Warne. I feel the game is well poised for Aussies to beat India by 150 runs.

Beware: Ganguly walked gingerly all day, injury or something?