Thursday, October 31, 2013

Another huge target chased! - India!!

After 4th odi ended in No result at Ranchi and the 5th odi was abandoned due to wet outfield at Cuttack. India came back strongly to the win the 6th odi and level the series 2-2 at Nagpur
Being played at Nagpur the 6th odi, the conditions were hot and dry and the the pitch looked good for Batting, India had won the toss and decided to chase. India brought in Bhuvi and Amit Mishra in place of Vinay and Unadkat. Australian openers Hughes and Finch did not provide the start as they usually do, both were back to pavilion in quick time. Bailey and Watson were looking good, Watson had luck going his way when he was caught of a no ball being bowled by Jadeja, Watson had just scored 25 that time. Watson, then went severe on every Indian bowler and reached his half century. Bailey was solid as usual getting runs easily at the other end. The pitch was looking good and Australian batsmen were looking for a score over 300 again. Watson and Bailey added 168 in 23.3 overs and Indian bowlers had no clue what so ever. Mean while Watson scored his 9th odi century and soon lost his wicket to Mohammed Shami,a much needed breakthrough for India. Maxwell's stay at the crease this time did not last long and was caught at deep by Bhuvi and Ashwin was lucky to get the wicket of Maxwell. Voges and Bailey took the attack further and added 120 in 13.2 overs and Bailey who missed every opportunity of scoring a century this series, finally scored a much deserved century and went on to score a massive 156,a record score by an Australian Captain. Bailey's wonderful innings came to an end in the pursuit of quick runs as he smashed one from Jadeja to long off a simple catch to Kohli, that was an awesome performance from the Australia captain. Jadeja again went on to pick Mitchell Johnson and that happened to be his 100th Odi Wicket and in the end Australia had scored again a massive first Inning total of 350 for the loss of 6 wickets. As far as the Indian bowling was concerned, Bhuvi turned out to be economical,he picked a wicket in his 8 overs giving away 42 runs and Jadeja picked 2 for 68 in his 10 and Ashwin picked 2/64 in his 10 and a wicket for Mohammed Shami.

This target looked challenging, but the Indian batsmen had already chased down 360 at Jaipur and they had to repeat the same stuff here at Nagpur. The Indian openers Dhawan and Rohit sharma had a solid start and they put on 178 for the first wicket in 29.3 overs. Once again the Australian pace bowlers were tested and the Indian openers were quick on their feet and made sure they gave India a sound start. None of the specialist bowler were able to pick the first wicket, it was when Bailey decided to throw the ball to a part time bowler Finch. Finch gave Australia a much needed breakthrough and Rohit sharma was first wicket to fell, for a well made 79 of 89 balls. There was cheer, Virat came in and he did not waste much time and he continued where he left from Jaipur, Dhawan was looking set for his 4th odi century and he did not miss this time and went on to score a match winning century and he was soon dismissed after scoring a century, India were two down for 234 when Raina joined Virat Kohli and Raina was once again troubled by a short ball from Johnson and was out for 16, soon Johnson picked yuvraj for a duck and India had lost 3 wickets in quick span of time. In the other end Virat was going well scoring runs and he had not slowed down. India had lost 4 wickets for 290 and had a long way to go. MSD joined virat, the duo made sure they did lose any more wicket and carried on, soon Virat brought his 17th odi century and 11th while chasing, and a champion player like him is what India needed during the crisis situation. Kohli delivered what India exactly needed, a pressure situation and he was leading from the front, 11 centuries he has scored while chasing and India had won all of them. Needing 20 of the last two overs, Kohli took on watson and scored 14 runs of that over and India needed 6 from the last over from Faulkner. Dhoni was on strike and as a finisher you all know what Dhoni can do and Dhoni scored the winning runs for India and remained unbeaten on 25 and India had won yet another match chasing over 350. What a match to remember, What a chase.

Virat Kohli was again magical this time and won the man of the match for his 66 ball 115 and rest of the contributions were Dhawan's 100 and Rohit's 79.

A monemt of joy! the next match will be at Bengaluru on Nov-2nd! do not miss the action.
Ok folks! It's Diwali time! I wish you all a very Happy Diwali and hope you enjoy the festival and yea, Be safe!
                                       - Harish.S

No comments: