Was again VVS Laxman, who made it happen again. Laxman and Ishant Sharma put on 81 runs for the ninth pedestrian as the Australians were beaten in Mohali in an exciting encounter. As Australians were breathing down the neck of India with the India score 124 / 8, Ishant and Laxman put in a great association to hold off the Australians. This is also India's third consecutive victory against the Australians as the world's No. 1 team, the Australians showed their true place.
However, with Ishant given a dubious leg before decision by umpire Ian Gould, who was a tense last 15 minutes for supporters of India at the PCA stadium before and Laxman Pragya Ojha (five not out) took India the magic of the score of 216. India sealed victory with two leg passes by Pragya Ojha Johnson's wild celebrations in the locker rooms and bleachers. Laxman compared to only 79 balls for his unbeaten 73 made with the help of eight fours while Ishant consumed 92 balls for his 31.
Needing 161 to win with six windows intact when they started batting in the morning, Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan (10) started in a positive way before the problems started. Instead of trying to defend in the first hour, both were willing to play their shots. While Tendulkar hit some limited opportunity to Nathan Hauritz, Zaheer ran a couple and a few singles to keep the scoreboard ticking. Zaheer hung around half an hour before it was made on a line by one of Hauritz while trying to play around. Michael Clarke was an easy prey in the slips. Came Laxman and how it started, he never seemed to have been suffering from back spasms and had excruciating pain in the last couple of days.
He announced his arrival with the limits of back-to-back "of Hauritz. First the housing unit and a stroke back foot through extra cover. The best shot was a hit backfoot Bollinger, who was beaten with minimal effort. Laxman and Tendulkar added 43 runs in only 6.1 overs and it seemed that the hosts were taking control of the proceedings.
Tendulkar, playing 64 balls hitting five boundaries in the process. He was the man who hopes for India snatched victory. A drive cover and the wristy drive martyrs of their intentions. Tendulkar seemed to want to prove to his critics who have spoken often of their inability to win matches for India in the fourth inning.
Just before the first drinks break of the morning session, Tendulkar tried to cut an ambitious upper Bollinger delivery that went long. He did not have the required height and Mike Hussey took a smart catch at gully. Tendulkar wicket was exactly the shot in the arm Australians needed. Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni was leaked to two when he hesitated before answering the call broker Laxman Suresh Raina for a single. Ben Hilfenhaus ran from mid-to mid-off and threw the plants at the end of the batter with Dhoni couple of meters below the ground. Harbhajan Singh also did not last long glove Bollinger ball short to Ricky Ponting at second slip.
With today's victory, India had a distinct advantage in the series 1-0 and retained the Border Gavaskar trophy pursuit run seventh highest in history. The sides of the two are now moved to Bangalore for the second and final Test starting in Bangalore from October 9.
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