India vs Australia 2nd Test 2008: Third Day Report
India continues their dominance over Australia in the second test of the four-match series. At the end of the third day, India holds 301-run lead with 10 wickets remaining in the second innings. From this point, a victory for India seems to be the likely result in the Mohali test. Today, Australia’s first innings stopped at 268, two runs short of avoiding follow on. However, India did not send Australia to bat for the second time. Rather, India opted to bat and two openers made a solid start to the second innings putting 100 runs on the board and remained undefeated at stumps.
In the morning, Australian batsmen tried their best to add as many runs as possible to their first innings total. Michael Hussey got out after reaching half century as Ishant Sharma made him the catch of Dhoni on 54. Brad Haddin and Cameron White got out very soon on 9 and 5 respectively. Actually, the 73-run partnership between Lee and Watson for the 8th wicket was instrumental behind Australia’s first innings total reaching 268. Lee scored 35 runs, while Watson played an excellent innings of 78, highest in the Australian innings.
Among the Indian bowlers, debutant Amit Mishra bagged five wickets for 71 runs. Mishra took a stern test of the Australian batsmen and has become one of the rare bowlers who have five-wicket haul in their debut match. Harbhajan Singh and Ishant Sharma got 2 wickets each, while Zaheer Khan took 1 wicket. India came to bat in the second innings with a first innings lead of 201 runs and both the openers started playing pretty comfortably. If Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag continue batting like this tomorrow, then Australia will definitely have to struggle to save this match. Sehwag completed his half century before the stumps and is batting on 53, while his opening partner Gautam Gambhir is not out on 46 runs.
I think, India might bat at least two sessions tomorrow and will be looking to add 150 to 200 more runs to their present lead of 301 runs. On the other hand, Australian bowlers have to bring break through regularly and have to be economical, because Indian batsmen will try to score as quickly as possible.
