India took the 1-0 lead in the Four-Match Border-Gavaskar Cup today as they crushed Australia by 320 runs today in Mohali. India deserved this win, given their stellar performance in all the departments of the game. India outshined their opponents completely and was clearly the stronger side throughout the game. The victory looked pretty obvious after day four stumps but the way India clinched it was a show in itself.

Although India had reduced Australia to 58-5 yesterday, there was a wait of 84 runs for the next scalp. There have been instances in past when opponents have succeeded in pulling drawn matches when India with India in the driver’s seat. With the world number 1 playing against you, you keep all the possibilities in mind. Zaheer Khan gave India the jumpstart they needed as he plucked three wickets in a space of four deliveries. The opening over of the day saw Brad Haddin (37) returning back. In his very next over, he dismissed Cameron White and Brett Lee on successive deliveries when Mitchell Johnson averted his hat-trick. Together with Michael Clarke, Johnson accumulated 50 runs for his team. Amit Mishra finally sent Johnson back when Australia was at 194 and the innings ended at 195. The game was wrapped up in a total of 18.3 overs.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting has described this loss as the worst ever under his leadership. Why not, Australia’s biggest loss to-date is by 343 runs against West Indies in 1991. Ponting’s Team could not turn their lead in the first match into a victory and with this humiliating loss; he really needs to tighten up his laces. On the other hand, the Indian stand-in skipper MS Dhoni is all charged up after this victory and the Man of the Match award. Dhoni, captaining India for the second time in a test scored 92 and 68* in two innings. Amit Mishra ended his debut match with 7 wickets. With MS Dhoni taking India to victory and Mishra’s spectacular stint with the ball, injured Kumble might have a tough time coming back.

This is India’s largest victory in terms of runs and the previous margin against Australia was 222 was back in 1977. Cricket360 congratulates the Indian team and all the fans on this feat.

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

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