Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly put on 142 runs for the fifth wicket as India amassed 311 for 5 by close on Day 1 of the second Test against Australia.
India stand-in captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat in the second Test against Australia at the PCA Stadium in Mohali on Friday. Regular captain Anil Kumble, as expected, pulled out of the match after failing to recover from his shoulder injury.
The Mohali track, usually conducive to faster bowlers, is expected to be a tad different this time, thanks to the recent rain in the city. And the two captains seem to have prepared for the eventuality.
If Ricky Ponting is to be believed, the Australians are refraining from doing what has, over the years, become a characteristic feature about their brand of cricket. 'We're focusing only on our game, on the look-out to find means to improve our game and give ourselves a good chance to play our best cricket,' Australia's captain said.
Anil Kumble explained his attack on the media saying it was not his individual opinion but that of the Indian team.
Gary Kirsten says he is coaching an Indian team that actually believes that it can upset the applecart of the Australians.
Resolute batting by Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman, coupled with fading light, helped India escape with a draw against Australia in the first Test, at the M Chinnaswamy stadium, in Bangalore, on Monday.
Australia all-rounder Shane Watson says the ball is getting reverse swing, which is a good sign for their fast bowlers.
India captain Anil Kumble had a sore shoulder and stayed off the field as a precautionary measure on Day 4 of the first Test against Australia, said fielding coach Robin Singh.
Australia finished Day 4 in the first Test against India on 193 for 5, an overall lead of 263 runs.
Rahul Dravid praised Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan for their dogged display with the bat that helped India fight back on Day 3 of the first Test against Australia in Bangalore on Saturday. Harbhajan smashed 54, his third half-century in as many matches against Australia, adding 80 runs for the eighth wicket with Zaheer Khan, who was not out on 35, as India amassed 313 for 8 in the first innings in reply to Australia's 430.
Harbhajan Singh scored a dogged 54 and Zaheer Khan 35, as India rallied form 210-6 at tea to 313-8 by close on Day 3 of the first Test against Australia.
Sourav Ganguly on Saturday denied giving an interview wherein he had allegedly slammed his team mates and selectors. 'The reports of the interview from the Bengali daily published in various newspapers are false. I have not given an interview of that sort to anyone and, hopefully, also in the future,' the former India captain said in a statement on Saturday.
'It is something special and I am enjoying it,' the left-arm pacer said after claiming 5 for 91, his sixth five-wicket haul, in the first Test against Australia in Bangalore on Friday.
'You get great rewards for your shots in India because the outfields are so fast. You just have to place the ball and you get great rewards," said the 33-year Aussies, who scored a hundred in his first innings in the country.
India were 68 without loss at close on Day 2 of the first Test after Michael Hussey's 146 saw Australia post 430 in their first innings.
Australia's captain led from the front with a fighting knock of 123 that saw the team post a decent 254 for 4 on the opening day. He believes it is a good score, on a pitch that is getting slower by the hour.
Ricky Ponting led from the front with a brilliant century to help Australia reach 254 for four at close on the opening day of the first Test against India.
Australia captain Ricky Ponting won the toss and elected to bat against India in the first Test at the M Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore.
Sourav Ganguly revealed that he took the decision to quit international cricket after being left out of the Rest of India team for the Irani Trophy.
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