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Ishant Sharma bowls during the second Test yesterday. PIC/SURESH KK |
The Dhoni-led team, after vital contributions from every quarter, are in complete control. Having resumed the day on 102 for four, the Aussies kept losing wickets at regular intervals before Shane Watson who eventually fell for 78 and Brett Lee (35) got together and constructed a 73-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Barring that moment of splendour, there was nothing for them to cheer about. The Australians, after the duo departed, packed up for 268, giving the hosts a 201-run lead.
And while the dangerous Indian openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir look set for a big personal score, the Aussies must be making those last-minute revisions and hoping to avoid, what at this point in time, is looking a certain defeat for them.
However, Watson, the hero of the day for Australia, felt that his mates are capable of chasing down any target if they bat to their abilities. As Watson heaped praises on Ishant Sharma, he admitted that Michael Hussey's wicket in the opening session yesterday morning changed the tide dramatically in India's favour.
Watson said: "Ishant (Sharma) bowled really well⦠especially this morning. He has bowled really well in the series so far. He is always a really good challenge. Even a bloke like Mike Hussey⦠he knew that he was going to have to be at his absolute best to try and keep him out because he was challenging him every single ball.
Mike is in great touch and form. His dismissal was definitely the turning point for the Indians on the day."
The all-rounder admitted that the Aussies will have to rein it in a bit more today. "They (Sehwag and Gambhir) scored fairly freely. But then, when we bat, we just have to do so for a fairly long period of time. I am sure whatever stage we bat tomorrow, it is going to be for quite a number of overs. We have to bat really, really well," Watson said yesterday.
