Rain robs thrill

After getting bowled out for a modest 194, Indian bowlers hit back with three quick Aussie wickets to raise hopes of a close finish, before rains spoil all the fun

BRISBANE: Next batsman Harbhajan Singh, went the announcement. It attracted instant boos from the stands. Whatever be the reason for such a negative reception, it was the more fancied Indian batsmen and his illustrious teammates who deserved such treatment. Among the Indian batsmen, who were all out in 45 overs, Harbhajan looked the best.

The off-spinner showed an immense sense of purpose, urgency and pulverising skills with the willow. His smash through the off-side off Nathan Bracken was awesome. It would have made a specialist batsman proud, just as his glance off the previous ball in 45th over Indian innings. Seeing the third man in the circle, Harbhajan intelligently turned his wrist perfectly for a four. In Hyderabad, VVS Laxman would have applauded that. His cameo of 27 off 19 balls  gave the much-needed impetus to the Indian innings. It also silenced the stands.

But for Harbhajan’s effort, India would have struggled to record the total they eventually reached —  194 — which, in the end, proved good enough to challenge the mighty Australian batsmen. With Australia needing 141 in 26 overs (as per the D/L method) India had a chance to have the last laugh of the tri-series opener.
However, the rain had the last laugh.

India take two points, just as Australia, from the contest, but S Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma gave Mahendra Singh Dhoni enough hopes of an unlikely win. Australia were 51 for three, with Ricky Ponting and Adam Gilchrsit back in the pavilion when rain forced the abandonment. With ball seaming and Sreesanth and Ishant looking in ominous touch, India had a reason to feel robbed. “It was disappointment for us, disappointment for them,” said Brett Lee, the wrecker-in-chief in the Indian innings. “We knew there were a few tricks up their sleeves. Sreesanth was looking very dangerous,” Lee admitted after the match which had three rain interruptions. Lee himself was lethal in the afternoon. He bowled some snorters, after he was lucky to bagt the of Sachin Tendulkar, who backed up too much and kissed the stumps with his right foot.

The Indian middle order struggled to force the pace against his bowling and lost wickets at  regular intervals.

The Indian innings was built around three key partnerships — 65 for the third wicket between Gautam Gambhir (39) and Rohit Sharma (29), 45 for the seventh wicket between Dhoni (37) and Irfan Pathan (21) and 42 for the eighth wicket between Dhoni and Harbhajan. But the problem for India was that the fall of one wicket led to a succession of wickets.

Gambhir cashed in on the width from inexperienced Ashley Noffke and got off to a flying start but fell at the wrong time just like Rohit. The Mumbai lad initially offered a good defensive blade and enjoyed a charmed life, a few of his shots going too wide, too short or too high from the fielder. But he too failed to capitalise on his start. Much was expected of surprise choice Manoj Tewary but the Kolkata batsman failed to justify the faith shown by his skipper, who preferred him to experienced players like Dinesh Karthick and Suresh Raina. Tewary, had in fact, come here as a cover for the injured Yuvraj.

Rain interruptions also did not help India’s cause when they were batting. The first break came in the 36th over when India were 128 for six. On resumption, India had to accelerate scoring as five overs were slashed from their quota but thanks to Harbhajan, India managed to add 66 in the remaining overs.

Just like India, Australia lost wicket in quick succession after getting off to a fast start. Ishant and Sreesanth got rid of James Hopes and Ponting.

But the brief Australian innings saw sportsmanship from Adam Gilchrist. He walked before the umpire gave him out, after trying to hook one from Sreesanth. Australia and the game will miss him.