Australia, replying to India's first innings score of 441, were dismissed for 355, handing India a vital 86-run lead, on Day 3 of the fourth Test.
Australia did not know what hit them until they realised the impact and ensuing pain. Resuming Day 3 on 189 for 2, Australia were outdone by Mahendra Singh Dhoni's magic yet again. They were bowled out for 355 in their first innings after displaying one of their worst batting performances in recent times.
Jason Krejza's eight-wicket haul on debut, followed by Simon Katich's unbeaten 92, helped Australia claw their way back in the fourth Test against India in Nagpur on Friday. Krejza claimed figures of 8 for 215 in 43.5 overs as India were dismissed for 441 in the first innings. In reply, Australia posted 189 for 2 in 49 overs by close of play on the second day.
Dona Ganguly, who traveled to Nagpur with daughter Sanaa to witness Sourav's farewell Test, told rediff.com in an exclusive chat: "It was a decision that was coming, so no regrets. Everyone has to retire."
'Tough,' was how an emotional Anil Kumble summed up his 18-year journey in cricket at a felicitation ceremony, organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India, in Nagpur, on Thursday night. The veteran leggie called it a day after the third Test in Delhi and was deservedly honoured by the BCCI on the first day of the fourth Test against Australia.
Master batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who notched his 40th Test century in the fourth Test against Australia at Nagpur, said the wicket will suit India as the match goes on if they can manage a big score in the first innings.
Australia's bowlers struck at regular intervals to reduce India to 311 for 5 by close on Day 1 of the fourth and final Test in Nagpur on Thursday.
Tamil Nadu opener Murali Vijay was handed his Test debut in the fourth and final Test against Australia. Harbhajan Singh, who missed the last match due to injury, made it back to the team.
Anil Kumble's retirement, in-form Gautam Gambhir's one-match ban and are other distractions, like Sourav Ganguly's final Test drama and VVS Laxman's 100th Test, have left India's captain a challenging task going into the fourth and final Test against Australia at Nagpur, beginning on Thursday.
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Wednesday said Tamil Nadu batsman Murali Vijay is likely to replace Gautam Gambhir and open the batting for India in the fourth and final Test against Australia in Nagpur. Gambhir's appeal against his one-match ban, which was imposed for elbowing Shane Watson in the drawn third Test in Delhi, was rejected by Justice Albie Sachs, the lead Appeals Commissioner, on Tuesday.
India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh on Tuesday said the ace leg spinner's shoes will be hard to fill.
Australia's star batsman Michael Hussey clarified why he ditched Western Australia to play in the IPL, saying he had played a crucial role in helping the Chennai team qualify for the Champions League.
India had declared at 208 for five and set Australia a target of 245, who reached 31 for no loss in eight overs before a draw was agreed by both teams. India lead the four-match series 1-0 after their 320-run victory in the second Test in Mohali.
India were 43 for 2 in their second innings after taking a 36-run lead on Day 4 of the third Test. Michael Clarke scored 112 as Australia were dismissed for 577.
On a day when Australia put up a resolute challenge to India's mammoth first innings score of 613, Sehwag was the only thorn in their flesh. That, too, with the ball. The visitors were 338 for 4 at stumps and three of those wickets, and crucial ones at that, were snared by Virender Sehwag.
Virender Sehwag picked three wickets as Australia ended Day 3 in the third Test on 388-4, still 275 runs behind India's total and 76 short of following-on.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting said his bowlers were a bit off the line with the reverse swinging ball in the Mohali Test and paid the price for that.
In the 29 Tests played so far, the India won 10 and lost just six. More importantly, India won the last seven Tests played at the venue -- the most successive wins for India at any venue -- and last lost a Test at the Kotla 21 years ago, in 1987 to the West Indies.
With Harbhajan Singh nursing a toe injury, Amit Mishra is likely to retain his place in the Indian team for the third Test against Australia, with Anil Kumble coming in for Harbhajan.
While India captain Anil Kumble will surely play at his favourite ground, the Kotla, in the third Test against the Aussies, Harbhajan Singh is suffering from a toe injury and there are question marks regarding his fitness.
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