Australia Reclaims Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-0, India Manages To Draw Final Test
Australia made an overnight declaration leaving India a record 349 to win. India started well as it looked to make an effort to win the test match even though it might have seemed unlikely to some. The main batsman who stood firm against Australian bowlers was Murali Vijay. The Indian opener used his feet brilliantly against bowlers, ESPNcricinfo reports. The way his dealt with Nathan Lyon was especially noteworthy because he struggled in the previous tests in the series against him. It was Lyon who apparently made Vijay nervous at 99 on the fifth day of the first test. Lyon did not allow Vijay to score a hundred and took his wicket. This time, however, Vijay looked to be in control and hit over boundaries against Lyon with ease. Vijay stood firm not only against Lyon but against faster bowlers as well. It was Josh Hazlewood who put the brake on India by dismissing Vijay who gifted a thick edge to Brad Haddin.
Australian captain Steve Smith, who was earlier ridiculed when he blamed the spidercam cable for a dropped catch, took a stunner at the slips to dismiss Rohit Sharma. Sharma was going well until he deliberately tried to guide the ball in the air over the slip. Unfortunately for him, Smith flew in the air to catch the ball which was flying away from him. It comes as the cherry on top for Smith who earlier got past Don Bradman's 1947-48 Australian record of 715 for most runs in a series against India. India, which looked to be in a position to advance steadily toward victory at one point, lost its way after it lost its captain. Virat Kohli played rather a quiet innings, looking to be playing the role of an anchor. However, when Kohli got out, India looked to be in the danger of losing the match. It lost quick wickets but Ajinkya Rahane and Bhuvneshwar Kumar managed to hold it together. India's innings ended at 252 for 7.
Smith, who had a tremendous series, was declared the Man of the Match and Man of the Series as well in a presentation hosted by former Australian skipper Mark Taylor.
Contact the writer: s.mukhopadhyay@IBTimes.com.au
