Agencies, Mohali India performed three-in-a-row historic feat by defeating Australia by six wickets in the third Test in the four-Test series for Gavaskar-Border Trophy at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium here today. India achieved the victory target by scoring 136 for 4 in 33.3 overs.
Indian captain Mahindra Singh Dhoni gave finishing touches in a grand style by hitting left arm fast bowler Michell Starc for three successive boundaries. With their last two wickets producing 80 runs, Australia were able to prolong their second innings to 223 specially through Brad Haddin (30) and Michell Starc (35). The never-say-die efforts of the Australians forced the Indians to play cautiously for victory. Brief Scores: Australia: 408 and 223 (Philip Hughes 69, Nathan Lyon 18, Michael Clarke 18, Brad Haddin 30, Michell Starc 35, Xavier Doherty 18, Bhuveneshwar Prasad 3 for 31, Jadeja 3 for 35, Ashwin 2 for 72, Ojha 2 for 46).
India: 499 and 130 (Murali Vijay 26, Cheteshwar Pujara 28, Virat Kohli 34, Sachin Tendulkar 21, MS Dhoni not out 18, Ravindra Jadeja not out 8). Chasing a target of 133 runs in minimum 37 overs for third successive triumph, India achieved it with 8 overs to spare on the fifth and final day. (More on page 12) Indian team show hat-trick to Kangaroos The creditable win is virtually in less than four days as rain had washed out the first day’s play. Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara opened the Indian second innings as Shikhar Dhawan, who made a sensational Test debut with a knock of 187 which included the fastest 85-ball century, did not open as he has injured his fingers.
India lost their first wicket when opener Murali Vijay was stumped by Brad Haddin of the bowling of Xavier Doherty for 26 which came in 33 balls with the help of five fours. The first wicket fell at 42 in 9.2 overs. Promoted in the batting order Virat Kohli joined Cheteshwar Pujara. They carried the total to 70 in 18.2 over with a 28-run partnership for the second wicket. Pujara faced 51 deliveries and hit five fours. After the fall of Pujara’s wicket, Sachin Tendulkar came in the middle to join Virat Kohli. Australian fast bowler Peter Siddle broke their third wicket partnership which produced 33 runs by getting Kohli caught at short wicket.
Virat Kohli faced 61 deliveries and hit six boundaries. The third wicket fell at 103 in 26.4 overs. Earlier, the Indian spinners span a web around to demolish the Australian second innings for 223 in 89.2 overs. Brad Haddin (30, 72 balls, 5x4s), Mitchell Starc (35, 100 balls, 2x4s) and Xsvier Doherty (18 not out, 56 balls, 4x4s) put up resistance before Australia were bowled out in their second venture. Their last two wickets yielded 80 runs. It may be recalled that Starc was unlucky in the Australian first innings as he had missed his century by just one run. Ravichandran Ashwin (2 for 72), Ravindra Jadeja (3 for 35) and Pragyan Ojha (2 for 46) capitalized on the three-wicket haul of Indian pacer Cheteshwar Prasad who had quickly dismissed David Warner (2), Ed Cowan (8) and Steven Smith (5) in the third session on the fourth day yesterday as Australia were precariously placed at 75 for 3 at close India got an early success on the fifth morning as Pragyan Ojha sent overnight not out batsman Nathan Lyon to the pavilion as Australia lost their fourth wicket at 89 for 4 in 27.6 overs.
Australia were still trailing by two runs. Ojha’s slower delivery took a slight turn and the edge went to keeper Dhoni who grabbed it smartly. Nathan Lyon had resumed his innings at overnight score of 4 and added 14 runs runs this morning 18, (3x4s) before he was dismissed. Captain Michael Clarke joined Philip Hughes. Clarke and Hughes carried the Australian total to 119 in 46 overs before spinner Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Clarke, caught by Cheteshwar Pujara for 18 (3×4). It was fifth time in the series when the Australian captain became victim of Jadeja in the current series. Hughes and Clarke realized 30 runs for the fifth wicket.
With the addition of four more runs to their total, Australia lost their sixth wicket that of Hughes was adjudged leg before wicket to Ravichandran Ashwin. Hughes was keeping the Australian hopes alive for a draw as long as he was occupying the crease. With his exit after contributing 69 (147 balls, 11×4, 1×6), Australian chances were further weakened. Jadeja struck his second blow when he caught and bowled Moises Henriques (2) as Australia lost their seventh wicket at 126 in 51.1 overs. SCOREBOARD AUSTRALIA (Ist innings): 408 (Ed Cowan 86, David Warner 71, Steven Smith 92, Mitchell Starc 99, Ishant Sharma 3 for 72, Ravindra Jadeja 3 for 77, Ravichandran Ashwin 2 for 97, Pragyan Ojha 2 for 98).
INDIA (Ist innings): 499 (Murali Vijay 153, Shikhar Dhawan 187, Sachin Tendulkar 37, Virat Kohli not out 67, Bhuvneshwar Kumar 18, Peter Siddle 5 for 71, Mitchell Starc 2 for 74). AUSTRALIA (2nd innings): David Warner c Dhoni b Bhuvneshwar Kumar 2 Ed Cowan lbw Bhuvneshwar Kumar 8 Philip Hughes lbw Ravichandran Ashwin 69 Steven Smith b Bhvneshwar Kumar 5 Nathan Lyon c Dhoni b Ojha 18 Michael Clarke c Pujara b Jadeja 18 Brad Haddin lbw Ashwin 30 Moises Henriques c and b Jadeja 2 Peter Siddle b Pragyan Ojha 13 Mitchell Starc a Ashwin b Jadeja 35 Xavier Doherty not out 18 Extras (lb 3, nb 1, w 1) 5 Total (all out in 89.2 overs) 223 Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-35, 3-55., 4-89, 5-119, 6-123, 7-126, 8-143, 9-179, 10-223. Bowling: Bhuvneshwar Kumar 10-1-31-3 Ishant Sharma 9-1-34-0 Ravinchandran Ashwin 31-9-72-2 Ravindra Jadeja 16.2-6-35-3 Pragyan Ojha 21-6-46-2. Tendulkar 2-0-2-0. INDIA (2nd innings): Murali Vijay st Haddin b Doherty 26 Cheteshwar Pujara lbw Nathan Lyon 28 Virat Kohli c Hughes bt Peter Siddle 34 Sachin Tendulkar run out 21 MS Dhone not out 18 Ravindra Jadeja not out 8 Extras (w 1) 1 Total (for 4 wickets in 33.3 overs) 136 Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-70, 3-103, 4-116 Bowling: Mitchell Starc 10.3-1-51-0 Peter Siddle 11-2-34-1 Nathan Lyon 5-0-27-1 Xavier Doherty 7-2-24-1.
SCORE BOARD
Australia Ist innings: 408.
IndiaIst innings: 499.
Australia 2nd innings: 223.
India 2nd innings: Murali Vijay st Haddin b Doherty 26, Cheteshwar Pujara lbw Nathan Lyon 28, Virat Kohli c Hughes bt Peter Siddle 34, Sachin Tendulkar run out 21, MS Dhone not out 18, Ravindra Jadeja not out 8. Extras: 1. Total: 136. Bowling: Mitchell Starc 10.3-1-51-0, Peter Siddle 11-2-34-1, Nathan Lyon 5-0-27-1, Xavier Doherty 7-2-24-1.
