You are here: Home » Australia Tour of India 2013 » Australia stare at a possible defeat on Day 4 of Hyderabad Test

Australia stare at a possible defeat on Day 4 of Hyderabad Test

Related Links: Australia Tour of India 2012/13 | India Vs Australia – 2nd Test Scorecard

Cheteshwar Pujara scored his 2nd double century in Tests

Cheteshwar Pujara scored his 2nd double century in Tests | India Vs Australia, 2nd Test at Hyderabad

The writing seems to be on the wall of an Australian defeat on Day 4 of the 2nd Test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad. The visitors after conceding a huge first innings lead of 266 runs have lost a couple of wickets before close of play on Day 3. On a pitch that is taking more and more turn while the odd ball staying low, it may not be easy for the Aussies to wipe off the 192 more runs in deficit to make India bat for a second time in this Test. This was after India had piled up 503 in their first innings thanks to Cheteshwar Pujara’s 2nd double century of his career.

Although India had come up with a massive total of 503 in 154.1 overs, their innings on Day 3 had a collapse under spinning conditions losing its last six wickets for just 43 runs in less than 15 overs. Play started with the two overnight centurions – Cheteshwar Pujara and Murali Vijay eying their respective double centuries. Vijay failed to get a maiden double century as he got caught at leg slip while trying to work a jumping off break from Glenn Maxwell. The stylish Chennai batsman settled with a career best of 167 in 361 balls with 23 fours and 2 sixes. Vijay’s partnership with Pujara was as many as 370 runs worth for the 2nd wicket!

By Lunch, Pujara not only got his double hundred but also got himself out hooking a Pattinson bouncer into the hands of square fine leg. Pujara finished with 204 from 341 balls (with 30 fours and a six). After the Lunch break, the Indian collapse of sorts began with first Sachin Tendulkar getting strangled down the legside off Pattinson, and a caught behind decision was given after Umpire Marais Erasmus asked the TV Umpire for a review. Skipper MS Dhoni walked in next and played a busy knock of 44 from 43 balls with 8 fours to quickly build India’s lead. Dhoni was caught at mid off trying to play another big shot off Maxwell.

India lost wickets in a heap after Dhoni’s exit – R Ashwin edging a turning ball from Doherty to gully, Harbhajan smacking the same bowler to mid off, Virat Kohli (34 fro, 92 balls with 3 fours) stepping out and inside edging a jumping off break from Maxwell to the diving Cowan at backward shortleg. The last man to be dismissed was Bhuvneshwar Kumar who left the crease for a big shot but only to be stumped off Doherty. What was notable in the Indian collapse was the kind of purchase the lowly rated Aussie spinners could extract.

Having taken a 266-run lead, India was under pressure as the Aussies got off to a fine start of 56 for 0. However, R Ashwin turned it around by taking two wickets in succession. Interestingly the two batsmen dismissed – David Warner (26 from 56 balls with 3 fours and a six) and Phil Hughes (0) were bowled round the legs trying to sweep the flatter and fuller deliveries from Ashwin bowled from over the sticks and pitching well outside leg. By the close of play on Day 3, the Aussies moved to 74 for 2 in 32 overs with the defensive Ed Cowan on 26* (from 100 balls) with the positive looking Shane Watson who is on 9*.

Enhanced by Zemanta