Indian captain tried all his bowlers to make India victorious. Atlast a success struck with the wicket of Strauss (108) by Harbhajan, Ishant on the other end struck Flintoff (4). No other player could make a mark at stumps, England declared the innings at 307/8, giving a total trail of 387 runs. The match was moving towards a result, with India poised to take a lead of 1-0 in the series. Gambhir and Sehwag gave a startling start to the Indian cricket score, at the end of day 4, live score rests at 131/1.

Day 4, a crucial day for the result of this match, England moved at sumps with tremendous confidence boost provided by Strauss, still on roll.  Collingwood provided good support to the man in form, Strauss. The duo were firm on the pitch and scoring fours on the lose ball. Dhoni in desperate need of breaking the partnership nearing 100 runs tried all his possible source of golden arms to change the luck of this match. Harbhajan came as a rescue, took the important wicket of Strauss (108), breaking the partnership at 80 runs. Ishant Sharma picked up Flintoff (4) and Zaheer Khan took the wickets of Collingwood (108) and GP Swann (7) with cricket scorecard at 297 for 7. Before Tea, Khan picked up Harmison (1), the strategy worked for Dhoni, as it was pretty clear that England will not cross the 400 runs trail.

Commentators Mark Kidger commented “22.5 overs in a 2 hour session? will Dhoni be fined for the slow bowling rate.” Ishant Sharma victorious with the wicket of Prior (33), forced England to declare the innings at the live score of 307/8. With a total trail of 387 runs on the Indian pitch looked promising for the English team to pressurize the home country team. Highest score chases in any fourth innings on the Indian pitch is 276 runs in 1987, and at Chennai stadium 155 against Australia in 2001. Adding in the history the current test match cricket score one of the highest score to be chased.

Indian openers Sehwag and Gambhir strides out, poised to win the match 1-0. When the nation is not looking up to this test match as it is struggling in other issues to be resolved, a win will definitely make raves in the nation. Gambhir leading the situation with a four in the first over of Harmison. Sehwag followed in the second over with two fours to Anderson. Sehwag then took charge and was playing the game as ODI, in full form, each stance making new score for the team. On the last ball of 4th over, Sehwag hit a six to Harmison. At the end of 5th over, India was 45 runs, Sehwag (35) and Gambhir (7).  England captain Pietersen called Panesar to replace Anderson. Sehwag in a blasting mode, hit another six to the first over of Panesar. Sehwag reached half century in 32 balls, 8 fours and 2 sixes. Clear message to commentators, each Sehwag is not same each innings.

Pietersen called in Swann to bowl and change the destiny of England moving towards losing the match. India’s scorecard reached 100 runs in the 18th over with max contribution from Sehwag of 73 runs. England struck with Swann bowling in 23rd over with Sehwag out at 83 (lbw, b Swann). Dravid replaced Sehwag to push the Indian innings. The way match is moving ahead, it looks like going towards a result. But cricket being a “Game of Surprise”, anything can happen the next day, i.e. 5th day of First Test Match. Cricket 360.com eagerly waits for the last day action and the result.

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

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