In the flags lay yesterday’s story. Occasionally an Indian fan would brandish one, because he had brought it to the ground, because defiance was called for, because hope still flared. But mostly it lay furled near his feet, or resting against his grim face, as limp as his team’s performance. It was that sort of day. Cricket is beyond mastery, it gives then it takes. One day India walked on water, next day they were hollering for life-vests. Indeed, those who might have ventured to put a cocked ear to the Indian dressing room door at stumps on Saturday might well heard the unpleasant sound of leather hitting flesh. After all, this team had every reason to collectively kick itself. In one short burst of 64 minutes in the morning, every brave shot, spilt sweat and found confidence of the first day was undone as the team crumpled. With the series on the line, a fighting team had temporarily let themselves down. As Rahul Dravid said, as politely as he could: ‘‘We did not bat well’’. Mistakes are part of the adventure of competition but too many usually come at a cost. How expensive India’s errors will be is yet to be measured but, if midway through Friday dreams at least of a draw were being fashioned, by Saturday defeat was back in the lexicon. With India dismissed for 366, and Australia at 3-317, this Test is more wide open than Saurav Ganguly would have preferred. Skittles came to mind as all remaining six Indian wickets fell with dismaying rapidity in the first hour for 37 runs; considering India was once 278/1, it meant nine wickets had fallen for 88 runs and perhaps some of the first day’s late rot had totally set in. It would be forgivable if the Australians got the ball to dance cleverly or the pitch produced some voodoo of its own but, instead, this was hara-kiri on a grand scale. Matthew Hayden (136) said what the Indians would rather not: ‘‘It’s one of the better batting wickets we’ve seen here.’’ Ganguly (37) was incensed after guiding a ball to slip for, like an addict, he had slipped back into bad habit; Ajit Agarkar (0) ran for a single off his first ball that only he in the stadium believed existed and, having earned two ducks here last series, it was no wonder a wag remarked he was keen to forego the strike. VVS Laxman’s stubborn stay of 19 in 108 minutes ended with a poke caught at slip, and, well, the rest just walked in and then out. Virender Sehwag’s 195, more than half India’s total of 366, suddenly assumes even grander proportions. It is difficult to criticise a team that has performed with valour through this series, it is almost unfair to rebuke a flannelled band whose totals here have been 409, 73/2, 523, 233/6 and 366. But batting is their primary weapon, the foundation of any success and yesterday, like the half-constructed stands at the MCG, they appeared to leave the job unfinished. Quickly the sins of the morning looked even more exaggerated under the evening sun as the Australians galloped to 317/3, their long faces of the first day now shining with intent. India’s bowling is, at best, honest but when the pitch is heartless and the batsmen marauding it makes for an unequal equation. Only Justin Langer (14) perished early, caught by Tendulkar after a shot of some ugliness off a wide Agarkar delivery, before a 234-run hectic partnership by Hayden and Ricky Ponting (120 not out) rescued their team and inflated their incredible averages. Anil Kumble was set upon as if he had done the Australians some personal harm but old warriors are not easily ruffled and, his face set in determination, he returned to dismiss Hayden and promoted batsman Adam Gilchrist (14) to restore some dignity to the score. Hayden would say later that ‘‘the momentum is starting to shift back in Australia’s favour’, and their smiles will be wider by virtue of Zaheer Khan’s twinging hamstring and Ashish Nehra’s struggles to impose himself. Men with noses for victory are finding their nostrils flaring rapidly. But all writing of obituaries should be put quickly on hold for from Brisbane, and Adelaide, we have powerful evidence of Indian resolve. Their confidence is not easily punctured, and if they do unto Australia what was done to them this morning, dismiss the remaining batsmen for under 450, this match will still be breathing. India must know that Australia will bat last here and it is an advantage that will give them strength. This is a team shaken but hopefully stirred as well.
