CricDigs Blogs

What an unbelievable series!! I am sure many would argue that 2001 or 2003 was better, but the current one had a great element of “fighting” spirit shown by both the teams. Like the 2001 series in India, it included an end to a long winning streak and had so many ups and downs that even a roller-coaster would feel like a smooth ride.

The Boxing day test match started with India dominating with the ball straight away. I am sure RP would remember his delivery that cleaned up Ponting so beautifully. India managed to bowl out Australia for 340 odd but could not capitalize and ended up losing the test. It seemed as if the series was decided right then and there. Interestingly, so much has happened after the MCG Test that it seems as if it happened ages ago.

In the Second Test at SCG, the Indian bowlers destroyed the Australian top order and if Umpire Bucknor did not spare Symonds because of a terrible terrible decision, Australians might have been bowled out for under 250. Instead they went on to make 460+. Indians responded strongly riding on centuries by Sachin and Laxman and some rear-guard action by Bhajji. Australians batted superbly in the second innings in spin friendly conditions, with Hussey and Hayden hitting centuries. A target of 333 was set for India with no real chance to make that. As it happens mostly in cricket, when the most a batsman is playing for is a draw, it almost always leads to his demise. Needless to say Umpire Bucknor played a great part in this as well with a terrible terrible decision to judge Dravid caught behind and then Ganguly was given out after consultation with the fielder and field-side captain (Pointing). When it looked as if India was going to save the test, incredible chain events handed India it’s second loss within the last 5 minutes of close of play. To add insult to injury, the Australian pressed “racial” charges against Bhajji for allegedly calling Symonds a “monkey”.

So, India was down 2-0 in the series heading into Perth where it was expected to get crushed by the Aussies. Riding high the Australians chose to go with 4-men pace attack with Shaun Tait firing at 150ks. India on the other hand suffered a setback with an injury to Zaheer and decided to give chance to Sehwag, Pathan and Ishant in the in-between tour match.

India’s fortunes changed in Canberra. Sehwag hit a 70 ball hundred. Ishant bowled beautifully. So, they were both included in the playing 11 with Pathan. Yuvraj, Zaheer and Bhajji were dropped. Umpire Bucknor was also sent packing after a very incompetent performance in SCG. After winning the toss, India chose to bat (a courageous decision) and scored 330 with Sachin and Dravid getting into a very valuable partnership. As if that was not enough, it dismissed Australia in meager 212 and gained a lead of 118 in the first innings. Second innings saw Laxman again playing a great knock against his favorite rivals and pushed India’s lead to 400+. The mighty Australians were still the favorites to win, but Pathan knocked off the openers again and what happened after that is History.

Winning in Perth charged up the Indians and they went into Adelaide with an opportunity to level the series. Pathan, who was adjudged Man-of-the-match in Perth was sent to open the batting for India and Bhajji was included instead of completely ineffective Jafar. Both the teams piled on runs in first innings, with nothing much separating them. Sachin hit his 39 century and Ponting manged to over-come his poor form against the Indians. Hayden celebrated his return from injury with a splendid hundred and it was left to the 5th day for delivering some more drama. As there was not much time left for India to force a win, it looked as if the match would follow the same path as SCG, but Sehwag hammered a magnificent hundred to ensure a very respectable draw for India. So this very very eventful series ended in favor of the Australians 2-1.

As if all this drama was not enough, Adam Gilchrist announced his retirement on the 3rd day and added more emotions to an already passionate series. Sachin ended up with highest aggregate (493) for the series with 2 centuries (breaking his 2007 jinx of the 90s). Bret Lee was declared Man Of The Series. India managed to climb up to the #2 spot in ICC Test Rankings.

Phew!! Best of all, all this happened in a span of just about a Month and 2 days. Unbelievable, right? BTW, this was just the first Act of this encounter with CB ODI series and T20 match to follow over next month.