It's not just about records and results. There is no greater inspiration for a player than when he is playing for self pride. Of all the Indian batsmen in the first Test at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, the players to perform in the first innings were those who were fighting for self-respect. In the top order, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly were under most pressure. They were both coming into the game after a poor series in Sri Lanka.
Harbhajan Singh had personal scores to settle against the Australians. There are quite a few mental scars that still pain him. Hence, it was no surprise to see him giving off his best against the Kangaroos.
Zaheer Khan is not the one to back off from any challenge. By sledging him, Australia's wicketkeeper Brad Haddin provided just the catalyst to charge him up. If not for Dravid's half-century, Ganguly's 47, Harbhajan's 54 and Zaheer's unbeaten 35, India would have been out of contention by the end of the third day of the opening game.
The highlight of the day was the sensational rearguard action from Harbhajan and Zaheer. Australia were a massive 198 runs ahead when the two bowlers were at the crease with three wickets in hand. The new ball was also due.
Solid
However, the Australian smiles evaporated quickly as India's eighth wicket pair played with commitment and aggression. The new ball, taken in the 86th over, was greeted with a flurry of boundaries.
During their 80-run association, the duo smashed 61 runs off the 13.3 overs bowled with the new ball.
The Australian lead is now down to 117 and it could prove decisive in the match. "Harbhajan and Zaheer batted sensibly. Their 80 odd partnership was crucial in keeping us in the match," Dravid said.
Dada's effort
Ganguly's performance was another proof of his mental toughness. He was perhaps the player under most pressure. Fed up of constant scrutiny, he announced his retirement on the eve of this match. He was also facing a burning controversy over his reported remarks against the selectors and young players.
In this background, it was remarkable to see him come out and keep his focus.
"At the moment Australia are a bit ahead but if we can score some runs and then if our bowlers bowl some tight lines, then I think we have a fightback on our hands," said Dravid.
Number game
3
Number of successive half-centuries scored by Harbhajan Singh in the last three Test matches against Australia. His scoring sequence against his favourite opponent is: 63 in 92 balls at Sydney, 63 in 103 balls at Adelaide and now a superb 54 off 110 deliveries at Bangalore- all knocks being registered this year itself.
4
Number of wickets claimed by Mitchell Johnson while conceding 62 runs. The spell makes him only the fourth Australian left-arm fast bowler to take four or more wickets in an innings in India. The others to accomplish this feat before him are: Geoff Dymock (four times), Alan Davidson (thrice) and Ian Meckiff.
24
The number of byes out of 38 extras conceded by Australia is the highest against India (in a total of 313 for 8). Their previous highest was when they gave away 19 byes in a total of 27 extras in an Indian score of 501 at Chennai in March, 2001.
80
The amount of runs added by Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan for the eighth wicket is the fifth highest against Australia at this wicket position.
