The fourth test between India and Australia ended
in a draw crushing India's hopes of a remarkable comeback in the four test match
series on the fifth day of the fourth test at Adelaide. However, the Indian cricket team can be proud of their efforts as they gave the mighty Australians
a run for their money and unlike so many other top sides, who have visited Australia,
did not get blitzed in the four match series. Instead, India could have very
well drawn this series if they had more luck their way in the 2nd test match
in Sydney.
India resumed day five on 52/1 and started brightly with Virender
Sehwag at his fluent best forming a formidable pair with Rahul Dravid.
However, Dravid failed to make most of his last test innings in Australia as
he got a wicked bouncer from Brett Lee that shot up to the gloves and fractured
his middle finger. Dravid had to be retire hurt and after the fall of Sachin
Tendulkar courtesy a mix up with Sehwag, it did look like Sydney all over again.
However, Laxman and Sehwag stemmed the rot with Sehwag playing uncharacteristically
defensive in order to secure a draw, something which the Indians failed to do
in the second test match in Sydney. However, two quick wickets of VVS Laxman
and Sourav Ganguly in a short interval of time brought the Australians
straight back into the contest and for a short period of time it did appear
that India might crumble under the pressure. But Sehwag had other thoughts as
he scripted an epic knock to pull India out of the bushes.
Sehwag started the innings fluently before slowing down during the pre-lucnh
break. However, the Najafgarh hitter was big in prime form during the post tea
session when he slaughtered Brad Hogg and Andrew Symonds for huge sixes to bring
up his first test century in two years in just 123 balls. Sehwag then found
an able ally in an unconvincing Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who despite struggling
this series did hog up valuable time to deny Australia a shot at victory. When
Sehwag finally departed, he had put India at a position of comfort at 253/6
and soon India and Australia declared the match on mutual consent to give Adam
Gilcrhist a fitting farewell in his last ever international outing.
The retirement of Adam Gilcrhist, arguably the greatest
wicket-keeping all rounder in the world has left the cricketing world all the
more poorer and he was given a fitting tearful farewell by a packed Adelaide
crowd whom he has entertained so much in his ten years of international cricket.
The Indian cricket team will also be rather happy with the conclusion of the
series and though, the final outcome was against India, the men in blue will
be delighted with the show put up in Australia where they gave the mighty Australian
a good run for their money and with a bit more luck on their side, they could
have very well become the only side to not lose a test series in their backyard.
While the last test series saw the emergence of a young Irfan Pathan, this one
has seen Ishant Sharma announce his arrival with pomp and should he stay fit,
one does seem him being one of the mainstays of the Indian bowling attack for
a long time to come.
With the test matches over, the attention now switches over
to the one dayers where India come up against Sri Lanka and Australia for VB
series supremacy. Keep up with the latest Indian cricket scores with our
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