India fights back by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Scorecard:	India v Australia
Event:	Australia in India 2008/09

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DateLine: 17th October 2008

 

India fights back as Sachin breaks World record and becomes first man to cross 12000 runs
Ganguly also completes 7000 test runs
As one heard sound of crackers one knew what was happening. Sachin had broken the World record when he steered debutant fast bowler Peter Siddle to third man for three runs. PCA Stadium erupted in delight as Sachin had reached the top of the ladder. 11954 had become the new magical mark and was flashed on the PCA score board. Sachin looked at the heavens and thanked god and his father. Sourav who was at the other end came to congratulate him for the second time, first time it was when he got his 35th hundred. His tean mates applauded from the dressing room and so did the Australian players. The chairman of selectors Srikanth who was his first captain also applauded from the stadium.
Good start
The job was not complete. Lot of emotions were running through both the players in the middle. But they had a job in hand, to rescue the team. After winning the toss today morning MS Dhoni had no hesitation in batting first on a flat deck. India was off to a flier with Gambhir and Sehwag going at five an over, Before Sehwag was unlucky to be caught down the leg side of the bowling of Johnson. Dravid and Gambhir consolidated and India went in to lunch at 104 for 1, Gambhir completing an unbeaten half century.
A Sudden collapse
Runs suddenly stopped coming for Gambhir post lunch. Dravid started to attack the bowlers. Bowlers were trying to get leg before through in coming deliveries, but Dravid was game for it. He flicked most of the deliveries to the on side boundary and India got forty runs in the first hour after lunch. But then the collapse started. Dravid trying to be too adventurous chopped one on to his stumps of the bowling of Lee. Gambhir chased a wide one to be caught behind of Johnson and Laxman was strangled down the leg side of Johnson.
Tendulkar, Ganguly to the rescue
All this while Sachin was watching the collapse from the other end. India had frittered away a golden start. He had two things in his mind, first the World record, second to stabilize the innings with Sourav. Both experienced campaigners put their heads down and were involved in a wonderful partnership. In the course of the partnership Sachin not only got the record but even Sourav went on to go past 7000 runs. They mixed caution with aggression, took the singles on offer and put the loose ball away.
Lacklustre bowling
Australian bowling was pedestrian on that flat wicket. Spinners failed to impress. Ponting had to set defensive fields for most part of their partnership. Fast bowlers were one dimensional till the second new ball. Finally Peter Siddle got the much needed break through when he had Sachin nicking to first slip. India went in to stumps at 311 for 5, a day which belonged solely to the master blaster.