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A brilliant effort by Sachin Tendulkar

We really came back into the game with the way we batted, writes Anil Kumble

— Photo: AFP

STERLING KNOCK: Sachin Tendulkar’s unbeaten century has set up the second Test for an interesting conclusion.

Even as I write this after the third day’s play here, there’s a feeling of relief, at least for the moment.

Two days ago, in spite of having got the better of Australia, we still ended up giving them 463. To see the way we’ve then fought back, to go past them and get a decent lead is really something.

We’ve made a start, now we need to get out there on Saturday and take some quick wickets. By the time you read this, you’ll know whether the first session, absolutely vital for us, has gone the way we wanted it to go. I’m hoping it will.

Another toss lost

Things didn’t begin that well on day one though, when I told myself, ‘yet another toss lost’. When you’re playing two plus two, the toss is crucial, especially if it’s going to take spin later. Still, we bowled brilliantly; RP, Bhajji… we did really well to put the Aussies under the pump, to borrow a phrase from their lingo.

Later, though, the rub of the green went against us. I’m not really allowed to comment on umpiring decisions, so all I’m going to say is that what happened was there for all to see.

But we really came back into the game with the way we batted. Most importantly, our batsmen tired the Aussie bowlers out on both days. First, what made a difference was that crucial, outstanding partnership between Laxman and Rahul.

Gritty Rahul

While they were batting, I had flashes of Kolkata and Adelaide; we all probably did. I want to say something here, while people would naturally talk about Laxman’s superb knock, Rahul’s was no less in terms of value. It was, after all, a partnership.

Five-day cricket is not just about getting a run-a-ball hundred. It is also about fighting it out, standing there and grinding out the opposition, about exhausting them mentally and frustrating them. Rahul did all that in the course of his gritty 53.

Then of course, there was Laxman. When I watch him play, I always wonder. For any modern day cricketer, the toughest yardstick by which he is judged is how well he does against Australia, which is deemed the most challenging of any series.

Unfortunate Laxman

It is really unfortunate therefore that somebody like Laxman, with all his talent and proven ability, is under a cloud about his place in the side every time he goes out to bat.

Sadly, Laxman and Rahul got out in quick succession, but then again, we had Sachin and Sourav carry on from where they left off. The only thing that was disappointing was that Sourav, who was playing really well, got out when he did, when the new ball was due.

Two set batsmen playing the new ball, with Yuvraj and Dhoni to plunder the batting later when the ball was older, would have been different.

Quick wickets

As it was, we lost a few wickets then very quickly, so having Bhajji come out and play as he did was a wonderful surprise. He really played his natural game and enjoyed himself and I think that here, Sachin being at the other end was really important.

He kept telling Bhajji to calm down and reiterated the importance of right shot selection and Bhajji did as he was asked to very well.

As for Sachin, I have to say it was a brilliant innings, one of the best I’ve seen him play. His stands with Bhajji, RP and Ishant were really important, precious runs that will count later.

For the rest, I think the Australian batting line-up is vulnerable and we showed that in the last three innings we bowled. Importantly, our bowling has been in good nick and I believe this is a great opportunity to level the series here.

Hawkeye/Chivach Sport

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