India beat Aussies by four wickets
Elmo Rodrigopulle Reporting From Australia
The Australians were stopped in their tracks by India who beat them
by four wickets with two balls to spare in their second meeting of the
Commonwealth Bank Tri series game under lights at the Adelaide Oval,
yesterday. The Indians who lost to Australia in Perth, did well to win
this game and now the two teams are on equal term with one win each. Sri
Lanka the other team in the tourney are still without a win.
After Australia made 269 for 7, India had the batting to chase this
score provided their reputed batsmen made it their business to go about
getting the runs in a disciplined manner.
When the last over began, India required 13 runs. Skipper Mahendra
Singh Dhoni who was surprisingly slow in his approach, suddenly showed
his big hitting old with a huge six, that helped finally seal victory
for India and signalled Australia�s first defeat. He finally remained
unbeaten on 44 in 58 balls with only a six as a boundary.
For India was a great triumph. Openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender
Sehwag showed the way by hoisting 52 for the first wicket which set the
tone for Virat Kohli 18, Rohit Sharma 33 and Suresh Raina 38 to bolster
the run rate.
Gambhir who seemed headed for a century was unfortunate to be ruled
out LBW to a ball that pitched outside leg for 92. Gambhir was named
Player of the match. He hit 7 fours in a 111 ball knock. Sehwag made 20.
While the Aussie bowlers tried hard, their ground fielding left much
to be desired.
Australia gave Peter Forrest his one day debut and he was jubilant
when former Australian captain Ricky Pointing presented him the baggy
green cap, cheered on Australia brought in Forrest for Mike Hussey who
was resting in Perth, after two strenuous games against India and Sri
Lanka in Perth.
Australia won their two games against India and Australia and is well
on their way to the best of three finals.
India who won their first game against Sri Lanka, left out veteran
Sachin Tendulkar and tossed in Gautam Gambhir who missed the one against
Sri Lanka.
Australia won the toss and decided to bat on a wicket that looked to
be on the slow side, but certainly not difficult for batting and were
off to a shock start losing Ricky Ponting who opened batting with David
Warner.
Ponting who is not having a good run, was prompted to open hoping
that he would get among the runs. But that was not to be as holed out to
point for 6 with the score on 14.
Another shock followed when David Warner who is known to massacre
opposing bowlers went for 18 with the score on 53. But with good
partnerships between Michael Clarke and debutant Peter Forrest, Forrest
and David Hussey and Forrest and Daniel Christian recovered to post the
final score, which should not be a big ask if the Indian batsmen bat in
the manner born.
Right hander Forrest made his 66 in 83 balls with 5 fours and two
well hit sixes.
David Hussey hit with terrific force to make 72 in 76 with 5 fours.
Clarke had 2 fours in his 38 made in 36 balls.
Australia finally mad 269 for 8 in 50 overs at 5.38 runs per over.
Of the Indian bowlers - Vinay Kumar had 2 for 58 in 10 and Umesh
Yadav 2 for 49 in 10.
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