A 20-wicket day

It was, as the cliche goes, all happening at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday. Two innings, 20 wickets and just 293 runs meant an early finish...

It was, as the cliche goes, all happening at the Wankhede Stadium on Friday. Two innings, 20 wickets and just 293 runs meant an early finish to a pulsating Test match.

The turn of events ,session by thrilling session:

CLASS IS PERMANENT
Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman recreated the magic of old in demanding circumstances. Offsetting the early loss of openers, the duo went on to exhibit one of the best batting displays of the series. Tendulkar was a revelation putting behind a sluggish streak and strutted his stuff. At the other end, Laxman didn8217;t disappoint either. By putting together 91 runs, the duo set up a platform for the other batsmen to strike from. But an overambitous attempt to sweep Hauritz brought about Tendulkar8217;s downfall and that might have spoilt lunch for everyone here.

MICHAEL LEARNS TO ROCK
The setting for a Kolkata encore was on cards as Rahul Dravid joined Laxman to frustrate the Aussies further. But Laxman8217;s dismissal to a smart catch by Hauritz, after being struck for two boundaries, was a body blow. India were just 54 runs ahead. Ricky Ponting then unleashed Michael Clarke, an unknown commodity during the series, on the Indians. His left-arm spin found copious turn to the discomfort of the Indians. Dravid became his first victim and soon Dinesh Kaarthick and Mohd Kaif followed. The Indians were just 96 ahead with another 33 overs remaining in the day.

THE DOMINO THEORY
Clarke cleaned up the Indian tail and his first spell in Test cricket had resulted in a six wicket-haul coming off a mere 29 balls. Australia were now 107 runs away and India8217;s first 0-3 loss in two decades loomed large. 8216;8216;Believe in your abilities. Never give up. A couple of early wickets and it could swing our way,8217;8217; were Dravid8217;s words to his team. Zaheer Khan responded in splendid fashion sending back opener Justin Langer. Four overs later, Dravid pulled out another ace by bringing on left-arm spinner Murali Kartik. That was it. The Aussies suddenly developed cold feet as Kartik in tandem with Harbhajan Singh wreaked havoc. The top seven were in the hut and Anil Kumble hadn8217;t yet got a bowl. The irrepressible Jason Gillespie was the only batsman who displayed the right technique. But that wasn8217;t enough to stop the rampaging Indians as they wrapped up the match in style.