In the annals of Test cricket, some matches are remembered for sheer individual brilliance, some for their tactical depth, and others for their nerve-wracking finishes. The deciding Test of this gripping series between India and Australia was a rare blend of all three. A contest that swung like a pendulum before culminating in a grandstand finish, it encapsulated everything that makes the most extended format of the game the ultimate test of character and skill.
India set a seemingly modest target of 155 in the fourth
innings, and looked to be sailing towards victory. Yet, in keeping with the
riveting drama that had characterized the entire series, they found themselves
dragged into a tense battle as Australia’s bowlers fought with fierce
resilience. In the end, India emerged triumphant, securing a
thrilling two-wicket win—their narrowest margin of victory in Test cricket
since 1964. But this was more than just a match; it was a tale of endurance, a
clash of cricketing philosophies, and above all, a stage where individuals
carved their legacies.
A Pitch That Dictated
the Terms
Before the first ball was bowled, the pitch itself had
become a focal point. Its barren, deteriorating surface made it evident that
spin would play a dominant role. Both teams altered their bowling compositions
accordingly: Australia included off-spinner Colin Miller for the first time in
the series, while India bolstered their spin contingent with the introduction
of leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule alongside the wily Harbhajan Singh and left-arm
spinner Nilesh Kulkarni.
Yet, despite the varied spin options, the game belonged to
one man—Harbhajan Singh. Having already emerged as India’s trump card in
previous matches, the young off-spinner reached new heights, claiming 15
wickets in the match—his second consecutive ten-wicket haul in the series. His
tally was surpassed only by Narendra Hirwani’s 16-wicket feat against the West
Indies in 1987-88. Harbhajan’s dominance not only strangled Australia’s batting
but also gave India a crucial edge at key moments in the game.
Hayden’s Masterclass
Amidst Australian Woes
If Harbhajan was India’s talisman with the ball, Australia’s
batting hopes rested on the broad shoulders of Matthew Hayden. From the moment
he took guard, he exuded an air of confidence, blending power with patience in
an innings of breathtaking brilliance. His 203, crafted over 474 minutes and
320 deliveries, was a masterclass in calculated aggression. Striking 15 fours
and six sixes—the latter a record for an Australian in a Test innings—Hayden
single-handedly carried the visitors’ innings, even as wickets fell around
him.
His partnerships with Mark Waugh (150 runs) and Steve Waugh
(123 runs) provided Australia with a solid platform, but the innings unravelled
spectacularly following an extraordinary moment of misjudgment by their
captain.
Steve Waugh, ever the epitome of composure, fell to one of
cricket’s rarest dismissals—handled the ball. As an lbw appeal against him was
turned down, the ball spun back ominously towards his stumps. With his
attention diverted momentarily, Waugh instinctively used his palm to prevent
the ball from disturbing the bails—a moment of reflex that made him only the
sixth batsman in Test history to be given out in this manner. His dismissal
opened the floodgates.
From a position of relative comfort, Australia collapsed
dramatically, losing their last six wickets for a mere 26 runs. Harbhajan,
relentless and unforgiving, was the architect of this collapse, exploiting the
conditions to claim a staggering 7 for 133 in the innings. The Australian lower
order, bereft of answers, folded meekly. Even the legendary Shane Warne failed
to resist, registering his 23rd duck in Test cricket—a record for an Australian
batsman.
India’s Response: A
Collective Effort Led by Tendulkar
India’s response was in stark contrast to Australia’s
one-man show. The opening duo of Shiv Sundar Das and Sadagoppan Ramesh provided
a steady foundation, stitching together a century stand that neutralized the
Australian new-ball attack. However, the real dominance came from the middle
order, led by none other than Sachin Tendulkar.
Tendulkar’s 126 was an innings of supreme artistry and
authority. Striking 15 boundaries and two towering sixes—both off Miller—he
dismantled the Australian attack with the precision of a master craftsman. His
partnership with Rahul Dravid, worth 169 runs, ensured India amassed a
commanding total of 453, building a crucial first-innings lead of 110.
Contributions from the top order ensured India maintained control even as wickets
fell late in the innings.
With a significant deficit to overturn, Australia needed a
strong start in their second innings, and once again, Hayden delivered. His
aggressive approach, combined with solid partnerships with Slater, Mark Waugh,
and Steve Waugh, saw Australia claw back into the contest. However, just as
momentum seemed to be shifting, Harbhajan struck again.
The morning of the final day saw another Australian
collapse, eerily reminiscent of their first innings. Steve Waugh, who had appeared
immovable overnight, perished early, and once again, Harbhajan ran through the
lower order, claiming a career-best 8 for 84. Australia bowled out for 264,
set India a modest target of 155—but as events would unfold, no target was too
small in this pulsating contest.
A Nervy Chase and a
Fitting Finale
India’s pursuit of 155 began with assuredness, as VVS Laxman
and Tendulkar appeared to be guiding them to a comfortable victory. However, a
sudden twist awaited.
Gillespie, generating both pace and movement, produced a
delivery of unplayable quality to dismiss Tendulkar, caught at second slip by
Mark Waugh. Within three overs, two more wickets fell, sending a wave of panic
through the Indian camp. Even as Laxman continued to score freely, his
departure after tea—courtesy of an astonishing midwicket catch by Mark
Waugh—threw the match wide open once again.
When the seventh wicket tumbled at the same score, the
pendulum swung dramatically in Australia’s favor. With 20 runs still needed and
only three wickets in hand, the tension reached unbearable levels. Stand-in
wicketkeeper Sameer Dighe and Zaheer Khan nudged India closer, but with nine
runs still required, Australia played their final card—McGrath. Despite
struggling with a stomach ailment, he was reintroduced into the attack and
struck immediately, dismissing Zaheer via yet another Mark Waugh catch.
The equation stood at four runs with two wickets in hand.
The crowd held its breath. Dighe and Harbhajan, unflustered by the pressure,
stole singles to reduce the margin further. And then, in a moment of poetic
justice, it was Harbhajan—the man who had tormented Australia throughout the
series—who had the final say. A McGrath half-volley was calmly nudged square of
the wicket, sealing an unforgettable two-wicket victory.
A Series for the Ages
With this triumph, India not only secured the series but
also reaffirmed their growing dominance at home. The two-wicket win was a
statistical throwback to their narrowest victory margin against Australia in
Bombay, 1964-65, but in its essence, it was a contest of far greater
magnitude.
At the heart of it all was Harbhajan Singh, whose 32 wickets
in the series transformed him from a promising spinner into a national hero.
His performances had not just won India matches—they had changed the perception
of Indian bowling, proving that an off-spinner could single-handedly dictate
terms against the best side in the world.
This was more than just a Test match; it was a reminder of why cricket remains the most unpredictable, dramatic, and deeply absorbing of all sports. As the dust settled, one truth remained undeniable—Test cricket, at its finest, is unparalleled in its ability to weave stories that will be told for generations.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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