Sehwag, Dravid and Tendulkar give India the edge

Wednesday, 28 December 2011 09:58

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Three of India's finest batsmen ever — indeed three of the best the world has seen — granted the touring side the edge on the second day of the first Test.

Virender Sehwag (67), Rahul Dravid (68 batting), and Sachin Tendulkar (73, bowled during the day's last over) helped India finish on 214 for three at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Tuesday, a position that may be advanced to one of strength.

Having dismissed Australia for 333 an hour and forty minutes into the day, India had a tricky little period to bat out before lunch.

Sehwag treated the situation with the reverence it deserved, lofting Ben Hilfenhaus over mid-off to ‘break his duck' and smiling broadly at the bowler's surprise.

Gautam Gambhir appeared edgy at the other end, but survived till lunch. He didn't settle after the interval. Hilfenhaus' swing into the left-hander made him uncertain of the delivery to leave. It wasn't a surprise when he forced his hands at a rising ball that was slanted across him to be caught behind.

Gambhir's dismissal didn't affect Sehwag.

Sure, he was reprieved thrice — Brad Haddin's one-handed clanger with the batsman on 58 was the most catchable; Michael Hussey, at gully, and David Warner, running in from long-on, had it incredibly tough — but Sehwag made his luck. He also created an incredible buzz, 50,000 at the ‘G' living every ball.

Incredible drives

With James Pattinson and Peter Siddle getting the new ball to seam off the grass-thatched surface, Sehwag played and missed. But he smoked some incredible drives, his exceptional eye and adjusted arm-swing countering the movement.

He also cut through and over the slips, severely testing the bowler's nerve.

Nathan Lyon's introduction in the 14th over was a good move from Michael Clarke. Sehwag doesn't rate spinners; he itches to show them their place.

He smashed the off-spinner for successive fours, reaching his half-century in between. The next ball was the half-chance to Warner.

It needed a sustained spell of first-rate quick bowling from Pattinson to end Sehwag's stay. After attacking Sehwag's ribs with fast, short deliveries, forcing the batsman's balance back, the young bowler sprung a length ball. The width drew the stroke — the familiar slap of the hands, feet rooted to the ground. The delivery jagged in off the pitch, taking the inside edge to the stumps.

Dravid, who had helped Sehwag raise 75 for the second wicket, showed again his mastery of body and mind. There were moments in his innings when his batting was flawless, body responding with precision to the demands of the ball. But there were also phases when his concentration wavered, his body refused to co-operate, and he had to battle hard to survive, gritty struggle the only recourse.

Tendulkar's was a schizophrenic innings. Playing for tea, he scratched around, looking anything but the master he is. The first ball after, he upper-cut Siddle for six, hands flicking under the lifting ball to elevate it further. It was a stroke he reprised on other occasions during his innings, changing it slightly to alter placement.

Tendulkar also began to drive as only he can, a fluid, compact stroke punching the ball. With Dravid playing his patented work-to-leg stroke, body opening up to allow the arms to access the ball, the crowd realised they were watching something very special.

Dravid started to cramp after his half-century. He had to swallow salt tablets and stretch his leg.

The physical discomfort might have played a part in his reacting late to a Siddle delivery of considerable pace.

But even as the Australians were celebrating, the umpires, having confirmed with their colleague upstairs that the bowler had over-stepped, asked Dravid to resume on 65.

Tendulkar wasn't as fortunate. A magnificent break-back from Siddle, who refused to get disheartened, punctured the intended off-drive.

Three balls after the 117-run partnership ended, the players were off.

India required 21 overs on Tuesday morning to take Australia's four remaining wickets. It was an odd passage of play, containing in miniature the themes of the first day.

From India there was excellent intensity and curious fields, splendid and ordinary bowling.

Zaheer Khan struck early, removing overnight batsmen Haddin and Siddle within the space of five runs. His energy and rhythm after the labours of the first day will have heartened his team; his subtle use of angle and seam-movement will have delighted them. Four for 77 were just returns for Zaheer.

Pattinson and Hilfenhaus threatened India, the former looking supremely assured, the latter batting with frenzied aggression.

It didn't help that fortune continued to elude Ishant Sharma, whose efforts deserved so much more.

But R. Ashwin ended matters. He tempted Hilfenhaus with a fat, wide off-break into hitting a catch to long-on.

He then flicked a carom ball behind Lyon's legs to bowl his opposite number. Australia had added 56 vital runs to its overnight score.

Source: The Hindu.