Indians are in complete control of the second test match against Australia at the third day stumps. India lead Australia by 301 runs and the wide is set to grow broader as Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir take the Indian innings further from the score of 100-0 tomorrow. Earlier in the day, Australians were bundled out for 268 runs.

India had a good started to the day, sending back Michael Hussey in the first session of day’s play after Australia started from their overnight score of 102-4. Shane Watson and Brad Haddin repeated their first match act persevering against a bowling attack that left the visitors completely bewildered. Before the partnership could give some breaths of relief to their team, Harbhajan Singh struck and sent Haddin back. Watson was the only silver lining for the Australians today and it was only his innings that gave some headache to India. Watson was at an individual score of 39 when he picked Australia from a tottering 174-7. After losing Haddin as a partner, he and Lee put 47 runs together before Bhajji sent Lee back. Watson made his career-best knock of 78 runs although Australia packed bags 2 runs short of saving a follow-on.

The Australian villain was Amit Mishra. Coming back for the second time in the test team after a 6-year gap, that too to fill in for injured Anil Kumble, claimed a 5-wicket haul today. His 5-71 makes him the 6th bowler in the Indian history to take wickets in debut match. Mishra was instrumental in limiting Australia at 268 and gaining a 201-run lead and if India goes on to win the match, Amit Mishra’s chance selection will turn into an asset for the team.

Stand-in skipper MS Dhoni (expectedly) didn’t enforce follow-on. Sehwag and Gambhir took the field and soon emblazoned everyone with their usual blitzkrieg batting. India ticked 50 in 12 overs and was at 100 in 23 overs. Viru completed his 50 in 68 balls and there seems to be a lot in store for tomorrow. Australia was trailing by 367 runs at the day’s start which diminished to 201 with their first innings’ conclusion. The deficit is up to 301 again and Australia should brace them for a titanic target.

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3.25 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."

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