When the Australian Juggernaut Came to a Halt....

With over a week of nonstop slugging out in the board rooms, finally the stage was set for the battle on the "World's fastest Pitch". And as I have always believed it "To settle the demons face it with open arms", that's exactly what Kumble & Team did.

Straight away after winning the toss, Team India had chosen to bat first on the pitch on which they were destined "Not to last for 5 days".
Sehwag started hitting in all directions of the park and soon demons started to run for shelter. But as is always with Team India, two quick wickets and soon demons were back to haunt. But when the occasion calls for, you can depend on Mr Dependable "The Wall" and man born for cricket "The Master Blaster" himself.

The only change from the previous two tests was that even though two quick wickets had fallen, the run rate was good and more importantly there were runs on board and the early Cherry shine was gone. Even though odd ball zipped past or cut the batsmen in two halves, still playing out there on 22yards had become easy.

Slowly Team India had put on board 330; a score not to be very happy of but enough to keep Ponting & Co Right on their toes. With Indians playing two Medium pacers who can swing the ball prodigiously on their day, the balance was pretty much tilted in favour of India. And soon Australian Team was bundled out for 212 runs only saving grace being audacious batting from Symonds and Gilchrist. Scroe board told a Very "UnAustralian" story.

Now if Australia had a lead of 118, you can be sure that its game set and match for other team, but that's not the case with Indians.
Again thanks to Sehwag's very unorthodox but audacious batting, India were off to flying start second time in the series.

"Cricket is the game of glorious Uncertainties" and aptly applies to Indian cricket, with the team in drivers seat, suddenly flurry of wickets were seen and India were staring defeat from a position of Win.

Australians must have been already started to decide their party venue. But there were two batsmen they forgot one who has been Very Very Special against only one team in World, The Australians themselves and other who has blasted out Australians not once but twice from the game through his captaincy and cool head, face of new aggressive Indian Cricket star, Mr Dhoni.

Both put on a partnership of 75 runs and took the lead past 300 before Dhoni played a rash shot. Again there was a wicket in the very same over and India were looming large in the jaws of defeat.

If you are an Indian cricket fan, you would definitely still have hope as VVS was still there. In came batsmen No 10 R.P.Singh, with an average not to boast off and career highest nothing VVS.

Laxman was just not ready to give the strike to R.P.Singh, but R.P had a different plan. He started, with a big six off Symonds. For Next 1 hour RP was tormenting & frustrating Australian bowlers by negotiating the balls very well and shared a valuable 51 runs partnership with VVS to take Indian lead past 400.

And by the time Clark had R.P. caught off a classic fast bowler's delivery and Lee doing the mopping up, Australia were facing an uphill task of chasing down second highest run chase in the history.
A feat which even the great Don Bradman's Invincibles were not able to do.

And if this may sound exaggeration check out the scoreboard 65/2.

Its not long before the juggernaut finally comes to halt...