Agencies
Brisbane, Mar 4:
India created history by notching up their first-ever cricket tri-series title on Australian soil by pipping the world champions by nine runs in a nail-biting second finals which saw fortune fluctuating from one team to the other till the very end. The series win came after a long hiatus of 23 years after a hard fought series that made headlines on the ground as well as off it. Irfan Pathan sealed the match in the final over, claiming the last two wickets.
Sreesanth made his presence felt in the electrifying Brisbane atmosphere as he got the right wicket at the right time. Australian batsmen, for the second time, failed in matching up to the Indian pacers.
Praveen Kumar yet again proved his worth as he castled Brett Lee with a beautiful swinger that found his middle stump. With the match headed for a nail biter, the wicket gave India a window of opportunity against a valiant Aussie tail. James Hopes hit a fine fifty under pressure in the last moments of the game.
Speedster S Sreesanth claimed the wicket of Mike Hussey just at the juncture when the team required it the most. The batsman edged a fuller length, outside the off stump delivery into the hands of MS Dhoni but the decision was delayed as the third umpire`s decision had to be taken.
India clawed their way back into the match due to the mix-up between Hayden and Symonds that resulted in the former exit from the ground. This was followed by a scintillating delivery from Harbhajan that got Symonds plumb in front of the wicket. With the two set batsmen out in a single over, India came within striking distance of a historic victory on Oz soil.
Hayden and Symonds led Australia's recovery. The duo brought up their 50 run partnership keeping the hosts' hope of a third final alive. The pair, were however lucky on more than one occasion, surviving a few inside edges and close appeals.
Earlier in the Australian innings, Praveen Kumar got the wicket of Michael Clarke just when the duo of Clarke/Hayden started to lend some stability to the innings. The speedster proved yet again that his swing was becoming fearsome for the Oz batsmen by every delivery, giving the breakthroughs to his team at the right time.
Kumar stunned Ricky Ponting with a tearing fast delivery that got his wicket in the crucial final at Gabba. The fall of second wicket in the first few overs of the innings sent shockwaves down the Oz camp as they started the run chase in a nightmarish manner in front of a charged up crowd.
Kumar sounded the warning bells for the Aussie line-up early on in the innings as he claimed the prized wicket of Gilchrist at a score of just 2 runs. The batsman edged a beautiful fuller length, slanting delivery into the hands of MS Dhoni as the Indian supporters at Gabba erupted with wild cheers.
BCCI open coffers
India claimed the Commonwealth Bank Series in immaculate style with the young guns beating the World Champions by 9 runs in a cliffhanger of a match. The series win came after a long hiatus of 23 years after a hard fought series that made headlines on the ground as well as off it.
Buoyant by Team India's victory in Australia, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced that the CB series winning team would get Rs 10 crores. For the first time, the selectors of both the senior and under-19 teams will have their wallet fatter as BCCI would give Rs 1 crore to them.
Prez, PM congratulate
New Delhi: President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday congratulated the Indian cricket team for the victory in first-ever cricket tri-series on Australian soil.
"It is a fabulous victory. This is a victory based on teamwork and strong determination," the president said in a message.
The prime minister also praised the Indian team for the spectacular victory over Australia in the best of three finals. India won 2-0.
The prime minister intervened in the Rajya Sabha debate on the motion of thanks to the president`s address to congratulate the cricket team.
"What we have achieved in Australia is a tremendous achievement. I hope this success of the cricket team will replicate in the performances of the other sports of the country", said the cricket loving Prime Minister.
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