India Stand Tall at 311-5

It was a day in the name of the master blaster Sachin Tendulkar. Runs poured like cats and dogs from the MRF bat and Sachin covered several milestones, all in a day’s play. His solid innings of 88 runs put India in a dominating position at the first day stumps. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, India finished the first day of the second test match in Mohali at 311-5.

The match started with both the teams at par. Australia were assured after their constant dominion on the Indian team in the first test match, captain Ponting gaining form on Indian turf and the rumors surrounding a weak bowling line-up were thwarted. India, on the other hand, looked confident after avoiding follow-on in the first match and then preventing the match from slipping into Australia’s hands.

Openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir inaugurated the Indian innings in an explosive manner. The ball was thrashed across all corners of the field and by the time India reached 63, the run rate was 6. Sehwag departed for 35 at the team score of 70 and was replaced by Rahul Dravid who added 39 to the total. Things seemed to be going the Indian way when the Australian fast bowlers struck lightning. Dravid, Gambhir (67) and VVS Laxman (12) were bundled out within 17 runs and at teatime, Australia commandeered the match with India reduced at 174-4.

Tendulkar broke West Indies batsman Brian Lara’s record of highest number of runs in test cricket off the first ball after tea break. After the celebrations subsided, Ganguly and Tendulkar busied themselves in building a strong and sturdy 142-run partnership. Watching the two veterans play in the best of their forms was a delight for the Indian fans and spelled headache for the visitors.

Debutant Peter Saddle, who replaced injured Stuart Clark, claimed Tendulkar’s prized wicket much the way Cameron White dismissed him as his first test wicket in the first match .

Anil Kumble stayed out of the match in wake of his shoulder injury. This was controversial, as Kumble boasted of cent percent fitness yesterday and was made to sit out by today. MS Dhoni played his second match as the captain of the test team.

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