Posted on: 05-10-10 05:44:26
Magical Laxman seals thrilling one-wicket win
VVS Laxman overcame his sore back to become the hero of a nail-biting one-wicket victory for India, who retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in dramatic fashion in Mohali. In one of the most memorable finishes in recent history, Pragyan Ojha picked up two leg-byes off Mitchell Johnson to seal the result, which until that delivery could also have been a tie or an Australian win.
The match was firmly in Australia's grasp when the No. 10 Ishant Sharma joined Laxman with 92 runs still required, but the pair ground Australia down and left a dejected Ricky Ponting still winless as a Test captain in India. The visitors' hopes were raised again when Ben Hilfenhaus (4 for 57) trapped Ishant lbw - although the ball would have missed leg stump - with 11 runs needed.
In the final, chaotic scenes, Australia continued to attack, desperate for one wicket. They thought they had it two balls before the winning runs were struck, when Mitchell Johnson rapped Ojha on the pads only to have a strong lbw shout denied. Adding to the commotion, Ojha wandered out of his crease and a throw from gully that would have found him short missed the stumps and ran away for four overthrows.
When the winning leg-byes arrived, the Indian players streamed onto the field as the Australians thrust hands on heads. For sheer on-field tension, the finish ranked up there with Australia's last-minute SCG win of 2007-08. But that match was overshadowed by claims of poor sportsmanship; this time there should be no such post-script.
http://www.cricinfo.com/india-v-australia-2010/content/current/story/479976.html
http://cricketnext.in.com/news/indaus-ind-need-161-runs-aus-6-wickets/50905-13.html?from=tn
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Laxman-guides-India-to-spectacular-win-against-Oz/H1-Article1-608551.asp
I watched the entire post lunch session. One fo the most thrilling test matches I have ever seen. I did not move till the end. Ishant Sharma was not out but was given LBW. The ball was clearly outside the leg stump. Human error. In the end, Ojha made it via leg byes. Laxman did a great job in keeping the chase. Without him India would have lost.
It sure was a nail bitting finish ! Way to go Team India !
Big crowd for the routine, probably staged and manipulated, test at Mohali and empty seats at a one time event in New Delhi. It is a shame. 
There are always complains about encouraging other sports and India not getting medals. Folks will come up with number of excuses but there is really no enthu within Indians only to go for other sports.
After every 4 years, everyone looks at the news paper and throws away the sports page after not seeing India on the list of medals.
A famous quote from JFK:
Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country!
It was an excellent match and thrilling finish.
Again the senior batsman done it for India in this match too.
Quote:
Originally posted by manserwadekar
Big crowd for the routine, probably staged and manipulated, test at Mohali and empty seats at a one time event in New Delhi.
I am not sure if you were watching the game ... But there were no spectator to begin with. It was all quiet proceedings till almost lunch. I think, people came in after they smelled victory. Yes, if it was T20 - I would have agreed to your statement but not for Test. This was pure joy. I forced myself to sleep @ 5am as me mortal had to go to work (physical presence is important).
As for the test itself, what an entertainer !!! Absence of UDRS is hurting Team India. Hopefully BCCI will learn for next series.
Lax & Lamboo ... two injured Ls buried AUS. Ishant showed great attitude. He faced more deliveries in partnership with Lax. AUS tried everything from Bouncers to Yorkers - from half volleys to Out Side Off ... he did not flinch. It was good to see him leave like a Top Order Batsman. He sure carries good defensive bat.
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Mumbai Maazi Ladki ...
