Stumps day one. India 5/311.
Tendulkar is now the highest run scorer of all. He got out to debutant Siddle, who now has a maiden wicket to tell his grandchildren about.
It’s a very true surface, so the honours are about even on the day. I haven’t heard whether the pitch is likely to turn into a road or a minefield. Either way, a good toss to win. Dhoni is captain in the absence of Kumble, who is replaced with another leggie (albeit a rather different one) in Mishra.
Earlier today one of the guys at work said, “Siddle is making his debut.” Everyone else said, “Who?” and started scouring the internet. I had never heard his name before.
Not a good start to day three losing Mr Cricket. We need to avoid the follow-on or you can stick a fork in us.
Even if they do skittle you in time, there’s no way they’ll enforce it. The bowlers are tiring, and India don’t want to be batting on day five.
No hopefully India will bat into day 4 and then crush the Aussies. Of course I am talking through my wallet having taken 20s about India winning the series 3-0.
Yes, the follow-on has not been enforced. It’s very out fashion in these high-scoring days. Australia trail by 201, having been comprehensively outplayed yesterday and early today.
The Aussies are getting thumped. I am going to go out on a limb and say that the Australian line-up for this match is their worst test team for many years - since the 1980s, I reckon. The bowling line-up in particular is incredibly unfearsome, Lee aside.
Yeah, India looking set fair to stick more than 100 on the target before the close of play; Australia could well be facing a target over 400 by lunchtime tomorrow. Conversion to Sehwagology, anyone?
India are 100 without loss at stumps. Is it too early to call the end of Australia’s near 20-year reign at the top? How bad must England have been to lose 5-0?
Eh? That team still had Warne, McGrath and Gilchrist in it, and was playing at home. We were pretty bad, but there’s no comparison between that side and this one.
They haven’t lost yet, either, although it’ll take something special to save the match.
India are over 300, so the lead is 500. And they are still batting why?
Man, the Aussies suck balls right now. This bowling line-up has very little going for it. Kumble was right - they will struggle to take 20 wickets in a match.
Harbhajan and Sharma absolutely destroying the Aussies; 52-4 and this is turning into a rout. Three for Bhaji and a brilliant clean bowling of Ponting for Sharma, who looks scarier with every over he bowls.
I’m starting to be glad we’re only playing two tests in India this winter - this lot will run right over us, KP effect or not.
Sharma gets Watson to make it 58-5, and the Aussies have now lost five wickets for just nine runs. When was the last time they collapsed like this? They’re looking at a 400-run defeat inside four days at this rate, light permitting.
I have to say the Indians have humbled us in this test, for no apparent reason except that we are just not up to it.
The only saving silver lining in this situation is that, on Indian soil where Twenty20 is king, it gives life to test cricket because the Indian public are so demanding and expectant. This win will give the massive Indian audience some huge encouragement for the five day game.
5/141 at the close. I suppose Australia have about a 10% chance of holding out for a draw.
This is the worst Australia have played for a long, long time in a game that matters. India have bowled and batted well. They’ve also been the better fielding side and - for the first time I can remember in the long form of the game - put sustained pressure on the opposition in the middle of the game by their running between the wickets.
Sharma is an absolute star.
I’m not even sure I’d give Australia a 10% chance, despite the 83-run partnership for the sixth. This morning contained a half-hour that would rival anything ever produced by…gulp…England.
It’s hard to declare a series over after two matches, and especially hard to put Australia down for the count. On the other hand, Australia have just looked out of it. It’s also not helpful for them that they haven’t won in Delhi–which is where they play next–since 1959.
Huge win to India in the first session of day 5.
Australia just don’t have the bowling attack to dismiss the Indians twice and are not dominating in the field as they once did.
Look for India to start dominating world cricket and Australia to start sliding down the world rankings.
Stll, there’s the third test in Deli.
Yay! Go India. That was a surprisingly large margin of victory, I am astounded that the Aussies had so little to offer. I always get a bit nervous when India is sporting too many of the old guys, but in this match they all did well. Does anyone know whether Kumble will be back for the next match?
Dude, don’t get carried away about India. Look at all the oldies in their batting line-up - Tendulkar, Ganguly, Laxman and Dravid all going within the next couple of years.
Their bowling line-up is the world’s best at the moment, though. Gotta give them that. Not that there’s much competition in that department.
I agree about Australia sliding.
I’m not sure how far exactly Australia can realistically be expected to slide in the current climate, but I’d be happy with our being No. 2 for some time. The rise of India has been the best thing to happen to the game for decades. I guess a new Windies era is out of the question, but even a more solid England (much more achievable) would be great. My cricket support is, of course, rusted on to Australia, but I have to admit it’s good to see 'em have to suck it up.