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After the Indian tailenders led by Zaheer Khan (57 not out) stretched the first innings to 360 and narrowed down the lead to 70 runs, the visitors battled their way to 193 for five at close on the penultimate day to gain an overall lead of 263 runs.
It turned out to be engrossing contest between the bat and ball on a deteriorating Chinnaswamy track as the Australians pushed for a substantial lead to exert pressure on the hosts on the final day.
The runs were difficult to come by as the Australians kept losing wickets at regular interval but still had the upper hand in the game considering that the pitch would deteriorate further on the final day.
With just one day left, the visitors will look to add a few quick runs in the morning tomorrow before having a crack at the Indians.
Simon Katich (34) and first innings centurion Michael Hussey (31) were the notable contributors as they ensured that the Australian second did not fall into pieces.
Shane Watson (32 batting) and Brad Haddin (28 batting) added some quick runs late in the day to consolidate the position for the visitors.


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I agree with the commentators that Sachin has hardly been a match-winner. But Bombay has dominated the cricket-politics, and I am very disappointed with the treatment that has been meted out to Ganguly (I am neither a Maharashtrian nor a Bengali). Although Ganguly has been one of the most committed players (next to Kapil Dev and Anil Kumble, perhaps), he has been thrown out or brought-in at the whims and fancies of selfish Mumbai politicians/selectors. I think people should boycott cricket and force the selectors to become unbiased and serve the country, rather then vested insterests. I had regard for Vengsarkar, but he has lost credibility. In fact, Mumbai people, including Gavaskar, have lost credibility - gavaskar too, played for himself (unlike Vishwanath or Kapil Dev). No wonder, Kapil has been one of the greatest Indian legends. I still remember the spirit with which he fought and got the World cup - that is called dedication / patriotism.
Tendulkar, Laxman and Ganguly are outdated by time as their reflexes, attention span and focus are all out of order perhaps due to age. About Sehwag's ruthless, careless and hell with everything attitude is not productive in a consistent way. Harbhajan is decieved by his vanity. Yuvraj for the present has lost his batting knack. India need Bowlers who have mastery of line and length and also be tricksters by changing the flight of balling by their will. Australian bowlers are good example. One more word of caution. Never be intimidated, be over-confident and loose your cool.
Sachin should leave playing cricket and focus on his restaurant business, and try some new recipes.
What Gavaskar did do you remember. Just for the world record sake he wasted how many matches. Sachin is also doing the same. Like this 5-10 runs he will complete his world record, so that the world will laugh at us Indians. Why not kick out Dravid, Sachin VVS Laxman and bring some new blood.
Sachin, a glorious past , we will always enjoy but I think the time has come to for Him to say goodbye to the the game he loved much. He should leave with grace rather then every one saying / asking why he is in the team .
We need match winners not Tendulkers.
This useless fellow Sachin Tendulkar is just a liability not only to his team, but to international cricket. He should be kicked out rather than being allowed to gracefully retire. He is just wasting everyone's time and getting money for nothing. And he should just forget the highest world record, he is not even the dust on the shoe of real batsmen in this world.
And what are your credentials for saying this? you have obviously played international test matches in...how many countries?
atleast now the rest of famous five including sachin and laxman should consider retirement. But will the selectors or commentators dare to say a word aganist Sachin, They will say Sachin will come back strongly and will allow him to do poor performance untill he regains form, If they have faith and patience in Sachins come back why dont they sow that for Saurav. he has proved that he can come back strongly even under pressure.There is no doubt about Sachins exelency,But that was 5 or 6 years back.If ganguly does not deserve to be in team because of age then so should Sachin and Laxman. Its obvious that Sachin had been playing for himself, Last time he scored heavily on a must win situation in a final was in sharjah in 98,perhaps 2002 world cup against Pakistan is also memorable.All other matches he scored was aganist very weak teams or we newer his position was threatened. But will the selectors dare to throw him out like they did 2 Saurav.
Please get your stats right Simon. Who was instrumental in winning triangular series in Aus against Aus 2-0 (in a three match final)? If I am not wrong, it was Sachin scoring 90 plus in both matches. He averages 54 plus, and that is against all teams, not just weaker ones. I hope, for sake of people like you, that sachin scores heavily (he was looking so good today as well) in the remaining innings in this series.