Sehwag takes three, India retains its hold

In reply to India’s massive total of 613 for seven, the Australian top order displayed a decent show with some good partnerships to record 338 for four at stumps of Day-3. But it was part-time off-spinner Virender Sehwag who picked up three key wickets as India retained its hold on the third day of the third Test at Ferozshah Kotala, New Delhi.

Though Indian pacemen couldn’t manage to cut short Aussies’ run chase, Sehwag, who was brought into the attack as Kumble moved out with finger injury, proved rewarding. He claimed the wickets of Matthew Hayden (83), Ricky Ponting (87), and Michael Hussey (53).

Australia, who still trails India by 275 runs, needs another 76 runs to avoid follow on. Michael Clarke (21) and Shane Watson (4) would return on Saturday to carry their run chase forward to challenge India’s total and also to stay alive in the four-match Test series.

Earlier, Leg Spinner Amit Mishra was the one who took the first wicket when he claimed the wicket of Simon Katich (64). But no further success came to his side while two productive partnerships: first between Hayden and Ponting (79 runs) and then an 82-run stand between Ponting and Hussey came into play.

Brief Score:

Australia 1st innings 338/4 (still on): Matthew Hayden (83), Ricky Ponting (87), Michael Hussey (53); Virender Sehwag 3/66, Amit Mishra

India 1st innings: 613 for seven declared in 161 overs (Gautam Gambhir 206, VVS Laxman 200 not out, Sachin Tendulkar 68, Anil Kumble 45; Mitchell Johnson 3/142, Shane Watson 2/66, Brett Lee 1/119, Simon Katich 1/60).

Kumble’s injury

Kumble hurt the little finger of his left hand while attempting to take a sharp catch of Hayden at short mid-on. He had to go for some x-ray scan, and it’s yet not clear whether he will be able to come to play in the fourth day or not.

Teams

India: G Gambhir, V Sehwag, R Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, MS Dhoni (wk), A Kumble (capt), Z Khan, I Sharma, A Mishra.

Australia: Simon Katich, ML Hayden, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michel Hussey, Michel Clarke, Shane Watson, Brad Haddin (wk), CL White, Bret Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Stuart Clark.