India cricketer Virendra Sehwag walks back to the pavillion as Australia cricketers celebrate his wicket during the first day of the third Test match at Feroj Shah Kotla stadium in New Delhi on October 29, 2008.
The Delhi southpaw hit strongly on both sides of the wicket and took his time, reaching his 50 - his eighth in Tests - from 121 deliveries. Pacemen Brett Lee and Johnson suffered at times after taking a wicket apiece in good opening spells.
Opener Gautam Gambhir reaches his century with a six off the bowling of Shane Watson.
In between his tremendous strokeplay, Gambhir was engaged in verbal duels with Shane Watson and Simon Katich. When Watson tried to block Gambhir’s way while going for a run, the opener elbowed him out of his path. Then Katich came in his way to prevent him from regaining his crease at the non-striker’s end and the Delhi player flared up again.
Resuming on the overnight score of 296 for three, both Gambhir and Laxman milked the Australian attack dry with consummate ease as India went on piling runs, blunting the Australian attack.
Gambhir’s unbeaten 362-ball knock included 25 boundaries and a six, while Laxman, playing his 99th Test, hit 10 fours during his 174-ball stay so far.
Watson, who was involved in an ugly spat with Gambhir on Wednesday, finally ended Gambhir’s 550 minute vigil that included 26 boundaries and one six. Gambhir’s inside edge disturbed the stumps.
After the fall of Kumble, Zaheer Khan hit five fours in his 21-ball 28 and the moment Laxman got to his double century the declaration came.
Australia rode on the 123-run opening stand between Simon Katich and Matthew Hayden to reach 151 for one wicket at lunch on day three. Resuming at 50 for no loss, Katich (64) and Hayden (59 not out) went on to put their first century stand together.
Play was held up two balls into the second session when a swarm of bees caused the players and umpires to lie on the ground for a couple of minutes until the threat passed.
After playing a strokeful knock, Ricky Ponting (87) was bowled by Virender Sehwag during day three of the Third Test match between India and Australia at the Feroz Shah Kotla.
Simon Katich (64), Matthew Hayden (83), skipper Ricky Ponting (87) and Michael Hussey (53) all rode their luck in carrying Australia to 338 for four by stumps. Virender Sehwag (3 for 66) got rid of Hussey three overs from the close of play as he produced a vital wicket by clipping Hussey’s stumps.
Michael Clarke survived three dropped chances to score his eighth Test hundred to ensure Australia all but denied India victory in the third Test on Saturday.
Australian bowlers then reduced India to 43 for two at close, 79 runs ahead as Brett Lee removed opener Virender Sehwag for 16.
Kumble needed 11 stitches to a deep cut he suffered on his left little finger while attempting a catch and eventually returned midway through the morning with his hand bandaged. The 38-year-old, the third most prolific Test wickettaker, took his first wickets of the series at his favourite ground, having missed the second Test win in Mohali due to injury.
The Australians tried to seize an outside chance of victory by putting some pressure on the Indian batsmen, but the solid middle order led by stylish Laxman (59 not out) dashed their hopes. Man-of-the-match Laxman remained unbeaten in the match as he was 200 not out in the first knock.
Rahul Dravid, who is going through the worst form in his career, became a Lee victim. A fast in swinging delivery kissed Dravid’s bat before crashing into stumps. Then an unfinished 63 runs partnership between Laxman and Sourav Ganguly (32) ended Australia’s hopes of having a crack at the Indian lower order in the second session. The Test will, however, will be remembered more as Kumble’s final international game, ending his 18-year-long illustrious career. India lead the four-Test series 1-0 and the final match will be at Nagpur on Thursday.
Then an unfinished 63 runs partnership between Laxman and Sourav Ganguly (32) ended Australia’s hopes of having a crack at the Indian lower order in the second session. The Test will, however, will be remembered more as Kumble’s final international game, ending his 18-year-long illustrious career. India lead the four-Test series 1-0 and the final match will be at Nagpur on Thursday.
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