Statistical highlights: India vs Australia, Delhi Test Day 3
# India have won a Test series for the first time by 4-0. Also for the first time they have won four successive Tests in a series.
# India have accomplished a hat-trick of series wins against Australia in India - 2-0 in 2008-09; 2-0 in 2010-11 and 4-0 in 2012-13.
# Australia have been white-washed by 4-0 in a Test series for the second time in their cricketing history. Ali Bacher's South Africans were the first to defeat Australia by 4-0 in 1969-70.
# India have won 12 Tests out of 32 played at Feroz Shah Kotla - the second highest tally of wins recorded by them, next only to the 13 out of 31 at Chepauk.
# Nathan Lyon (7/94) has produced his best bowling performance in Tests, obliterating the 5 for 34 against Sri Lanka at Galle in August 2011. His only other five-wicket haul is 5 for 68 against the West Indies at Port of Spain in April 2012.
# Lyon's figures are the third best by an Australian spinner in India - the top two being 8 for 215 at Nagpur in November 2008 and 7 for 72 by Richie Benaud at Chennai in October 1956.
# The only other Australian spinner to take seven wickets in an innings in India is Jim Higgs - 7 for 143 at Chennai in October 1956.
# Ashley Mallett had taken six for 68 in November 1969 - the previous best by an Australian bowler at Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi.
# Lyon's figures of 7 for 94 (his best in first-class cricket) are the sixth best by an Australian bowler in a Test innings at Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi.
# Lyon, with match figures of 9 for 165 are his career-best in a Test match. The said figures are the best by an Australian bowler in a Test match at Feroz Shah Kotla.
# Australia conceded 30 in India's total of 272. The record for most extras in an innings involving India and Australia is 57 conceded by India in Australia's total of 577 at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi in October/November 2008.
# Ishant Sharma has recorded two ducks in succession - first innings of the Mohali Test and in the present Test, now in progress.
# Ishant's sixth duck against Australia is his 17th in Tests.
# The six batsmen with most ducks in India-Australia Tests are - Ajit Agarkar (8), Zaheer Khan (7), Bhagwat Chandrasekhar (6), Shane Warne (6), Harbhajan Singh (6) and Ishant Sharma (6).
# Pragyan Ojha's third duck in Tests is his first against Australia.
# David Warner has averaged just 24.37 (195 runs in eight innings) - his worst performance in a Test series.
# Glenn Maxwell has batted as an opener for the first time in Tests - his sequence of four innings in Tests being 13 & 8 at Hyderabad and 10 & 8 at Delhi.
# Since January 2011, Watson's batting record in Tests has been just mediocre, aggregating 710 in 28 innings (15 Tests) at an average of 25.35, including four fifties - his highest being 88 against South Africa at Johannesburg in November 2011.
# Watson has averaged just 16.50 - 99 in six innings - his worst performance in a Test series (minimum three Tests).
# Ravindra Jadeja (5/58) has produced his first five-wicket haul in Tests, surpassing the 3 for 33 against Australia at Hyderabad in the second Test of the series.
# In only five Tests played by Jadeja, he has captured 27 wickets at an average of 19.85. In all ten innings, he has taken atleast one wicket.
# Jadeja's match figures of 7 for 98 (2/40 + 5/58) are his career-best in a Test match, surpassing the six for 66 against Australia at Hyderabad in the second Test of the series.
# Jadeja has got his first Man of the Match award in Tests.
# Ravichandran Ashwin has topped the wickets' charts (29 at 20.10) in the series followed by Jadeja - 24 but at a better average (17.45). His average is the highest in the recently concluded series.
# Ashwin's tally of 29 wickets is the third highest by an Indian bowler in a Test series against Australia, next only to Harbhajan (32 at 17.03 in three Tests in 2000-01) and Bishan Singh Bedi (31 at 23.87 in five Tests in 1977-78).
# Ashwin has received his third Player of the series award in Tests - his first was against the West Indies in 2011-12 and the second against New Zealand in 2012-13.
# Peter Siddle (51 & 50) has become the first number nine batsman to register fifties in each innings of a Test match.
# Siddle has top-scored in both the innings of a Test match for the first time - the first number nine batsman to accomplish the feat.
# Overall, eighteen instances have been recorded when number nine batsman has registered 100 runs or more in a Test match. Four instances have been registered against India - Ian Smith (New Zealand) - 173 at Auckland in February 1990 (a world record); Stuart Broad (England) - 108 (64 + 44) at Nottingham in July 2012; Lance Klusener (South Africa) - 102 not out at Cape Town in January 1997 and Peter Siddle (Australia) 101 (51 + 50) at Delhi in March 2013.
# Siddle is the fourth Australian number nine batsman to register 100 runs or more in a Test match, joining Jack Gregory, Clem Hill and Ray Lindwall.
# Murali Vijay, with 430 runs at an average of 61.42, has topped the batting charts in the series - the fifth highest by an Indian opener in a Test series against Australia - the highest being 464 (ave.58.00) in four Tests by Virender Sehwag in 2003-04 in Australia.
# Mahendra Singh Dhoni has become the first captain to register eight successive Test wins against Australia in India. Australia have lost eight successive Tests to a captain for the first time in an away series.
# Dhoni is the first Indian captain to record a clean sweep in a series of four Tests against any nation.
# Under Dhoni's captaincy, India have won 24, lost twelve and drawn eleven out of 47 played - winning % 51.06.
# Cheteshwar Pujara has recorded fifties in both innings of the Delhi Test - a feat registered by him for the first time.
# Pujara has posted 400 or more in successive series for the first time - 438 (ave.87.60) against England in 2011-12 and 419 (ave.83.80) against Australia.
# India have accomplished a hat-trick of series wins against Australia in India - 2-0 in 2008-09; 2-0 in 2010-11 and 4-0 in 2012-13.
# Australia have been white-washed by 4-0 in a Test series for the second time in their cricketing history. Ali Bacher's South Africans were the first to defeat Australia by 4-0 in 1969-70.
# India have won 12 Tests out of 32 played at Feroz Shah Kotla - the second highest tally of wins recorded by them, next only to the 13 out of 31 at Chepauk.
# Nathan Lyon (7/94) has produced his best bowling performance in Tests, obliterating the 5 for 34 against Sri Lanka at Galle in August 2011. His only other five-wicket haul is 5 for 68 against the West Indies at Port of Spain in April 2012.
# Lyon's figures are the third best by an Australian spinner in India - the top two being 8 for 215 at Nagpur in November 2008 and 7 for 72 by Richie Benaud at Chennai in October 1956.
# The only other Australian spinner to take seven wickets in an innings in India is Jim Higgs - 7 for 143 at Chennai in October 1956.
# Ashley Mallett had taken six for 68 in November 1969 - the previous best by an Australian bowler at Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi.
# Lyon's figures of 7 for 94 (his best in first-class cricket) are the sixth best by an Australian bowler in a Test innings at Feroz Shah Kotla, New Delhi.
# Lyon, with match figures of 9 for 165 are his career-best in a Test match. The said figures are the best by an Australian bowler in a Test match at Feroz Shah Kotla.
# Australia conceded 30 in India's total of 272. The record for most extras in an innings involving India and Australia is 57 conceded by India in Australia's total of 577 at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi in October/November 2008.
# Ishant Sharma has recorded two ducks in succession - first innings of the Mohali Test and in the present Test, now in progress.
# Ishant's sixth duck against Australia is his 17th in Tests.
# The six batsmen with most ducks in India-Australia Tests are - Ajit Agarkar (8), Zaheer Khan (7), Bhagwat Chandrasekhar (6), Shane Warne (6), Harbhajan Singh (6) and Ishant Sharma (6).
# Pragyan Ojha's third duck in Tests is his first against Australia.
# David Warner has averaged just 24.37 (195 runs in eight innings) - his worst performance in a Test series.
# Glenn Maxwell has batted as an opener for the first time in Tests - his sequence of four innings in Tests being 13 & 8 at Hyderabad and 10 & 8 at Delhi.
# Since January 2011, Watson's batting record in Tests has been just mediocre, aggregating 710 in 28 innings (15 Tests) at an average of 25.35, including four fifties - his highest being 88 against South Africa at Johannesburg in November 2011.
# Watson has averaged just 16.50 - 99 in six innings - his worst performance in a Test series (minimum three Tests).
# Ravindra Jadeja (5/58) has produced his first five-wicket haul in Tests, surpassing the 3 for 33 against Australia at Hyderabad in the second Test of the series.
# In only five Tests played by Jadeja, he has captured 27 wickets at an average of 19.85. In all ten innings, he has taken atleast one wicket.
# Jadeja's match figures of 7 for 98 (2/40 + 5/58) are his career-best in a Test match, surpassing the six for 66 against Australia at Hyderabad in the second Test of the series.
# Jadeja has got his first Man of the Match award in Tests.
# Ravichandran Ashwin has topped the wickets' charts (29 at 20.10) in the series followed by Jadeja - 24 but at a better average (17.45). His average is the highest in the recently concluded series.
# Ashwin's tally of 29 wickets is the third highest by an Indian bowler in a Test series against Australia, next only to Harbhajan (32 at 17.03 in three Tests in 2000-01) and Bishan Singh Bedi (31 at 23.87 in five Tests in 1977-78).
# Ashwin has received his third Player of the series award in Tests - his first was against the West Indies in 2011-12 and the second against New Zealand in 2012-13.
# Peter Siddle (51 & 50) has become the first number nine batsman to register fifties in each innings of a Test match.
# Siddle has top-scored in both the innings of a Test match for the first time - the first number nine batsman to accomplish the feat.
# Overall, eighteen instances have been recorded when number nine batsman has registered 100 runs or more in a Test match. Four instances have been registered against India - Ian Smith (New Zealand) - 173 at Auckland in February 1990 (a world record); Stuart Broad (England) - 108 (64 + 44) at Nottingham in July 2012; Lance Klusener (South Africa) - 102 not out at Cape Town in January 1997 and Peter Siddle (Australia) 101 (51 + 50) at Delhi in March 2013.
# Siddle is the fourth Australian number nine batsman to register 100 runs or more in a Test match, joining Jack Gregory, Clem Hill and Ray Lindwall.
# Murali Vijay, with 430 runs at an average of 61.42, has topped the batting charts in the series - the fifth highest by an Indian opener in a Test series against Australia - the highest being 464 (ave.58.00) in four Tests by Virender Sehwag in 2003-04 in Australia.
# Mahendra Singh Dhoni has become the first captain to register eight successive Test wins against Australia in India. Australia have lost eight successive Tests to a captain for the first time in an away series.
# Dhoni is the first Indian captain to record a clean sweep in a series of four Tests against any nation.
# Under Dhoni's captaincy, India have won 24, lost twelve and drawn eleven out of 47 played - winning % 51.06.
# Cheteshwar Pujara has recorded fifties in both innings of the Delhi Test - a feat registered by him for the first time.
# Pujara has posted 400 or more in successive series for the first time - 438 (ave.87.60) against England in 2011-12 and 419 (ave.83.80) against Australia.
India clinch historic clean sweep against Australia with easy win
India today completed a historic 4-0 clean sweep against Australia by recording an emphatic six-wicket victory in the fourth and final cricket Test here today.
On a Feroze Shah Kotla track which is not conducive for good batting, India chased down a tricky target of 155, largely due to Cheteshwar Pujara's dazzling strokeplay as the home team recorded their biggest ever series win in the 81-year history inside three days.
Pujara, who was battling pain as he was playing with a swollen hand, enthralled one and all with his perfect technique on a rank turner, scoring a brilliant unbeaten 82 off 92 balls with 11 boundaries.
For Australia, it was the first time in 43 years to suffer a 0-4 series whitewash after Bill Lawry's side did the same in South Africa in 1969-70.
There were a few jitters when India lost Virat Kohli (41), Sachin Tendulkar (1)and Ajinkya Rahane (1) in quick succession but Pujara kept his cool in company of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (8 not out) to successfully complete the run chase.
Pujara hit three boundaries off Glenn Maxwell to level the scores and then Dhoni hit the winning boundary to send the 25,000-odd crowd at the stadium into a frenzy.
The on-field celebrations were muted but the dressing room was delirious with joy as the players engaged in bear hugs.
The target of 155 might have looked quite a task but both Pujara and Kohli made batting look easy on a difficult track, adding 104 runs for the second wicket to pave the way for victory.
Starting the run chase, Murali Vijay (11) was bowled trying to play an unnecessary reverse sweep but Pujara played some unorthodox shots to set the tone.
On a Feroze Shah Kotla track which is not conducive for good batting, India chased down a tricky target of 155, largely due to Cheteshwar Pujara's dazzling strokeplay as the home team recorded their biggest ever series win in the 81-year history inside three days.
Pujara, who was battling pain as he was playing with a swollen hand, enthralled one and all with his perfect technique on a rank turner, scoring a brilliant unbeaten 82 off 92 balls with 11 boundaries.
For Australia, it was the first time in 43 years to suffer a 0-4 series whitewash after Bill Lawry's side did the same in South Africa in 1969-70.
There were a few jitters when India lost Virat Kohli (41), Sachin Tendulkar (1)and Ajinkya Rahane (1) in quick succession but Pujara kept his cool in company of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (8 not out) to successfully complete the run chase.
Pujara hit three boundaries off Glenn Maxwell to level the scores and then Dhoni hit the winning boundary to send the 25,000-odd crowd at the stadium into a frenzy.
The on-field celebrations were muted but the dressing room was delirious with joy as the players engaged in bear hugs.
The target of 155 might have looked quite a task but both Pujara and Kohli made batting look easy on a difficult track, adding 104 runs for the second wicket to pave the way for victory.
Starting the run chase, Murali Vijay (11) was bowled trying to play an unnecessary reverse sweep but Pujara played some unorthodox shots to set the tone.
Ind vs Aus: India beat Australia by 6 wickets to seal series
MOHALI: India clinched the Test series against a spirited Australia with their biggest-ever margin after recording a nerve-wracking six-wicket victory in the third cricket Test to take a 3-0 lead in the four-match series on Monday.
Scorecard
Never in their 81-year-old Test history, have India won more than two matches against Australia in a single series.
After bowling out Australia for 223 in their second innings, India chased down the target of 133 with 15 balls remaining before close of play in a match which saw a nail-biting finish.
The hosts encountered some tense moments in their run chase before skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed three fours off Mitchell Clarke in a row to seal the match in India's favour much to the delight of the home crowd.
Earlier, it was a defiant 65-minute last-wicket stand between Starc and Xavier Doherty, during which they consumed 18.1 overs for 44 runs to ensure the Indians, at least, don't run away with the game before the start of the 15 mandatory overs.
When the final hour started, India required 45 runs from a minimum of 15 overs. They completed the chase losing the wickets of Murali Vijay (26), Cheteshwar Pujara (28), Virat Kohli (34) and Sachin Tendulkar (21).
Dhoni (18) and Ravindra Jadeja (8) were at the crease when the winning runs were scored.
In the process, India reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar trophy, which they relinquished after a 0-4 drubbing in Australia last year.
The victory was achieved on the back of some fine batting by debutant Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay, both of them scoring big centuries in India's first innings.
Dhawan smashed 187, his 100 coming off a mere 85 balls making him the quickest-ever debutant to reach the three-figure mark.
India will now push for a clean sweep when the fourth and final Test starts in New Delhi from Friday.
Not to be left behind were the host spinners, who accounted for 14 of the 20 Australians wickets to have fallen in the match.
And leading the show with the ball was all-rounder Jadeja, who bagged six wickets in the match, including that of Australia skipper Michael Clarke, in both the innings.
With Australia resuming on 75 for three, the Indian spinners once again worked their magic as they bundled out the visitors for 223 in their second innings, setting India an achievable target to win in a minimum of 27 overs (+15 mandatory overs) at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium.
During his knock, Pujara, who opened the innings in place of Dhawan, who could not take to the field on the final day due to an injury on his left knuckle, completed 1000 runs in the country to become the 34th Indian to achieve the landmark.
Scorecard
Never in their 81-year-old Test history, have India won more than two matches against Australia in a single series.
After bowling out Australia for 223 in their second innings, India chased down the target of 133 with 15 balls remaining before close of play in a match which saw a nail-biting finish.
The hosts encountered some tense moments in their run chase before skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed three fours off Mitchell Clarke in a row to seal the match in India's favour much to the delight of the home crowd.
Earlier, it was a defiant 65-minute last-wicket stand between Starc and Xavier Doherty, during which they consumed 18.1 overs for 44 runs to ensure the Indians, at least, don't run away with the game before the start of the 15 mandatory overs.
When the final hour started, India required 45 runs from a minimum of 15 overs. They completed the chase losing the wickets of Murali Vijay (26), Cheteshwar Pujara (28), Virat Kohli (34) and Sachin Tendulkar (21).
Dhoni (18) and Ravindra Jadeja (8) were at the crease when the winning runs were scored.
In the process, India reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar trophy, which they relinquished after a 0-4 drubbing in Australia last year.
The victory was achieved on the back of some fine batting by debutant Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay, both of them scoring big centuries in India's first innings.
Dhawan smashed 187, his 100 coming off a mere 85 balls making him the quickest-ever debutant to reach the three-figure mark.
India will now push for a clean sweep when the fourth and final Test starts in New Delhi from Friday.
Not to be left behind were the host spinners, who accounted for 14 of the 20 Australians wickets to have fallen in the match.
And leading the show with the ball was all-rounder Jadeja, who bagged six wickets in the match, including that of Australia skipper Michael Clarke, in both the innings.
With Australia resuming on 75 for three, the Indian spinners once again worked their magic as they bundled out the visitors for 223 in their second innings, setting India an achievable target to win in a minimum of 27 overs (+15 mandatory overs) at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium.
During his knock, Pujara, who opened the innings in place of Dhawan, who could not take to the field on the final day due to an injury on his left knuckle, completed 1000 runs in the country to become the 34th Indian to achieve the landmark.
Australia look to stop the treadmill of defeat
Continuous losing in professional sport brings the worst out of people. Especially in Test cricket where individuals can perform outstandingly and still lose, where a match goes on for five days and tours last months, where you are stuck with the same faces preparing for the same results.
It brought the worst out of India when they were in Australia. They kept on picking the same failing batsmen, kept on batting in the same order, waited for some higher power to authorise the firings, and hoped that past glory will miraculously pull them out of the hole.
If India sleepwalked, as if on sedatives, through the losses, Australia have been behaving as if on crack. The thing they have been wielding is not so much an axe as it is a chainsaw. Nathan Lyon experienced it after the first Test, losing out to a limited-overs spinner. Now four others are out for discipline issues that the team management says have been accumulating.
Australia have made it clear that failing to show intent, discipline and subordination in team meetings is a bigger sin than not scoring a run off spinners or under-bowling a fast bowler on fire and over-bowling him into dust when he is not or making poor selections or failing to reverse-swing the ball.
The first set of things is what they can control, the latter depends more on skill and the application of that skill, which is not always in their control. Even if Australia lose every match on the trip, and there is a strong likelihood they will, they perhaps want to know they tried everything in their control.
There's not much left in their control, though: they might have only 12 men left to choose from, Steven Smith and Brad Haddin could be playing in the top six, but it's fair to say they will rather be on the field than in front of a green backdrop with strings of VB and Cricket Australia logos in the press conference room.
Form guide
India WWDLL (Last five matches, most recent first)
Australia LLWWW
Watch out for...
Phillip Hughes will be aware he is allowed to sit in this test only because some others have been asked to stand outside the class for the next period. Hughes has faced 39 balls from spinners this series, and has been out four times without scoring a run. That spin barrage is not likely to stop any time soon. It will be interesting to see how he counters it.
Michael Clarke has finally decided to move up in the order in an attempt to prevent fires as opposed to doing all the firefighting with fewer specialist batsmen for company. You can seen, though, why Clarke wanted to cling on to No. 5: he averages 64 and 51 at Nos. 5 and 6, and only 22 and 25 at 4 and 3. We are not sure yet where exactly he will bat, but he has made the decision for the good of the team.
This will be Ishant Sharma's 50th Test. He averages 38.52 with the ball. No specialist bowler who has played 50 Tests has ended with an average that bad. Looking at India's pace resources, Ishant still has time to correct this statistic. Mohali at least should provide him more help than the two earlier pitches.
Teams news
India are in that happy inconspicuous place that Australia inhabited when India toured there. MS Dhoni's picks have been working, Ravindra Jadeja has turned into a Test bowler at home, and you don't see the anxiety that should accompany the firing of Virender Sehwag. In fact they have gone ahead and said a day before the Test that Shikhar Dhawan will debut in Mohali, something almost unheard of in modern Indian cricket.
There had been a bit of an injury scare to Cheteshwar Pujara, who batted with what seemed like a troublesome knee in Hyderabad, and walked off gingerly during a training session two days before the match. He is likely to play, though. Harbhajan Singh could continue being chosen ahead of Pragyan Ojha, but you never know with India.
India (probable) 1 Shikhar Dhawan, 2 M Vijay, 3 Cheteshwar Pujara, 4 Sachin Tendulkar, 5 Virat Kohli, 6 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 R Ashwin, 9 Harbhajan Singh/Pragyan Ojha, 10 Bhuvneshwar Kumar and 11 Ishant Sharma.
In this Test, some on-field action can't come soon enough for Australia. Can it? They have the task of picking a Test XI out of the debris that is left behind. It looks easier on paper because there aren't many alternatives left, but you can't imagine any captain envying Michael Clarke right now.
Matthew Wade is as good as ruled out as a wicketkeeper, but there is an outside chance he could play ahead of Hughes as a batsman. They could play both the specialist spinners, and leave Glenn Maxwell out.
Australia: (possible) 1 David Warner, 2 Ed Cowan, 3 Phillip Hughes/Matthew Wade, 4 Michael Clarke (capt), 5 Steven Smith, 6 Brad Haddin (wk), 7 Moises Henriques, 8 Glenn Maxwell/Xavier Doherty, 9 Mitchell Starc, 10 Peter Siddle, 11 Nathan Lyon
Pitch and conditions
Mohali will be the closest Australia will get to decent bounce and carry in India, especially with India's current mood of spin domination. Don't bank on it too much, though. "There's not much grass to cut off and it was quite dry yesterday so it's probably even drier today," Clarke said. "I think the conditions are going to be very similar to what we've seen in the first two Test matches." Australia have lost both the Tests they have played in Mohali.
However, it won't be as hot as in the south. Day-time temperatures are likely to stay in the mid-20s, and cloudy spells and an odd thunderstorm is likely to make it even more pleasant.
Stats and trivia
- India have only ever led 3-0 in a Test series on two occasions, against England and Sri Lanka in the early 1990s. They have won three Tests in a series on three occasions.
- Australia last won a Test in India in October 2004 in Nagpur. Since then, they have lost seven, including the two in Mohali, and drawn two. Over the same period, India have lost six Tests, won one and drawn one in Australia.
Quotes
"A lot of people talk about young players - he should be picked, he shouldn't be picked, is he good enough? The only way you find out if he's good enough is if he gets an opportunity."
Michael Clarke
"The confidence of the team is high but as our coach told us, we have to start afresh. We want to go with the same attitude and same energy on the field as we did before the start of the series."
Shikhar Dhawan says India won't take anything for granted
India vs Australia: Mohali Test - Preview
While India had been whitewashed on quite a few occasions by the Kangaroos, the hosts` best efforts so far had been the 2-0 wins in 1979-80 (out of six Tests under Kim Hughes), 2008-09 (four matches) and 2010-11 (two games ? both under Ricky Ponting`s captaincy).
This time around, if they are able to make it 3-0 in Mohali, it will be a welcome first for Indian cricket, against Australia, who had thrashed them 4-0 the last time they met at the Aussies` den. India have never won more than two Tests in a series against Australia.
In the ongoing rubber, the visitors had been easily beaten by eight wickets in the opening Test in Chennai, before being inflicted an innings and a 135-run defeat in the second game in Hyderabad.
And Australia`s expulsion of four key players -- Watson, pacers James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and batsman Usman Khawja -- have only brightened India`s chances of scripting their best ever result against an opponent, who are going through a crisis situation.
Going into the match, India`s primary cause of concern, though, could be the blow star batsman Cheteshwar Pujara suffered during a net session on Tuesday.
Architect of India`s victory in the second Test in Hyderabad with a magnificent double ton, Pujara was hit on the left knee by a local pace bowler as he was batting in the nets. The batsman looked in considerable pain as he was forced to leave the nets.
After getting medical attention, Pujara had his left-knee strapped and didn`t take any further part in the training session.
But, indications are that the Saurashtra batsman would be part of the playing XI, much to the chagrin of the Australian bowlers who have so far struggled to contain the technically solid India number three.
Even as the Australians will have some thinking to do as far as selecting their playing XI is concerned, India, save for the dropped Virender Sehwag, might be tempted to take the field with more or less the same winning combination.
Of course, getting left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha for off-break bowler Harbhajan Singh, is one option the hosts, led admirably by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, will ponder over ahead of the penultimate match.
With Sehwag out of reckoning, Delhi boy Shikhar Dhawan -- who is waiting for his maiden Test call-up -could also get an opportunity to open the batting alongside Murali Vijay, who slammed a big century in the last Test to cement his place for the time being after a run of poor scores.
The middle-order wears a settled look with the young Pujara, Virat Kohli and veteran Sachin Tendulkar holding fort.
In the nets, Tendulkar concentrated on playing the spinners mainly and faced a lot of deliveries from Harbhajan and Ojha.
Dhoni also enjoyed his batting session as Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja sent down a number of deliveries to the big-hitting captain.
In the kind of batting form the hosts are in at the moment and with the cushion of a 2-0 lead, an attacking batsman like Dhoni will relish the prospect of taking on the Aussie bowlers.
An unbeaten double century in the opening Test only adds to the belief that Dhoni, in fact, is the man to lead India to a massive win after a disappointing run in the last two years, which included defeats against England and Australia.
With the curator of the PCA stadium, Daljit Singh, who also happens to be in charge of the BCCI grounds and pitches committee, claiming that the track will assist the spinners, India will, in all likelihood, again pack their attack with slow bowlers.
The ploy has, so far, worked for the hosts, and they are unlikely to disturb the combination, despite Mohali`s tradition of providing wickets that favoured the fast bowlers.
All seems well in the Indian camp and the hosts are assured that everything is under control.
The pitch has been the centre of much speculation over the last few days. Surely it will favour the spinners, but the Aussies can take heart from the fact that it won`t be the crumbling tracks they endured in Chennai, and to a lesser extent, Hyderabad.
But with four of their players gone, the options are very limited for the Aussies.
Ed Cowan and David Warner will open the batting, with the out-of-form Phil Hughes coming in at number three. Both Cowan and Hughes figuring in the XI, despite a run of poor scores, will surely somewhat expose Australia`s weaknesses even more.
The indomitable Michale Clarke, as in the first two matches, is again expected to shoulder the bulk of responsibility in batting considering Australia`s thin experience in that department.
Doughty is the appropriate word that best describes the Australian skipper`s knocks in the first two Tests in Chennai and Hyderabad, but hopes of making a comeback in the four-match series will also hinge on others.
IPL`s latest million dollar baby, Glen Maxwell, who made his debut in the last Test in Hyderabad, is not a sure-shot starter but Moises Henriques, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc are again certainty.
One is yet to get a definitive answer on wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade`s fitness, but his cover Brad Haddin, is also set to be included in the line-up, with Xavier Doherty and Nathan Lyon as the two sinners.
Even though they are set to miss the services of a few key players, Australia can only hope that the extraordinary turn of events off the field don`t impact their performance in the match, which is a must-win one for them.
Squads:
India (from): Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Dinda, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Australia (from): Michael Clarke (capt), Ed Cowan, David Warner, Phil Hughes, Matthew Wade, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Moises Henriques, Xavier Doherty, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin.
This time around, if they are able to make it 3-0 in Mohali, it will be a welcome first for Indian cricket, against Australia, who had thrashed them 4-0 the last time they met at the Aussies` den. India have never won more than two Tests in a series against Australia.
In the ongoing rubber, the visitors had been easily beaten by eight wickets in the opening Test in Chennai, before being inflicted an innings and a 135-run defeat in the second game in Hyderabad.
And Australia`s expulsion of four key players -- Watson, pacers James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and batsman Usman Khawja -- have only brightened India`s chances of scripting their best ever result against an opponent, who are going through a crisis situation.
Going into the match, India`s primary cause of concern, though, could be the blow star batsman Cheteshwar Pujara suffered during a net session on Tuesday.
Architect of India`s victory in the second Test in Hyderabad with a magnificent double ton, Pujara was hit on the left knee by a local pace bowler as he was batting in the nets. The batsman looked in considerable pain as he was forced to leave the nets.
After getting medical attention, Pujara had his left-knee strapped and didn`t take any further part in the training session.
But, indications are that the Saurashtra batsman would be part of the playing XI, much to the chagrin of the Australian bowlers who have so far struggled to contain the technically solid India number three.
Even as the Australians will have some thinking to do as far as selecting their playing XI is concerned, India, save for the dropped Virender Sehwag, might be tempted to take the field with more or less the same winning combination.
Of course, getting left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha for off-break bowler Harbhajan Singh, is one option the hosts, led admirably by Mahendra Singh Dhoni, will ponder over ahead of the penultimate match.
With Sehwag out of reckoning, Delhi boy Shikhar Dhawan -- who is waiting for his maiden Test call-up -could also get an opportunity to open the batting alongside Murali Vijay, who slammed a big century in the last Test to cement his place for the time being after a run of poor scores.
The middle-order wears a settled look with the young Pujara, Virat Kohli and veteran Sachin Tendulkar holding fort.
In the nets, Tendulkar concentrated on playing the spinners mainly and faced a lot of deliveries from Harbhajan and Ojha.
Dhoni also enjoyed his batting session as Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja sent down a number of deliveries to the big-hitting captain.
In the kind of batting form the hosts are in at the moment and with the cushion of a 2-0 lead, an attacking batsman like Dhoni will relish the prospect of taking on the Aussie bowlers.
An unbeaten double century in the opening Test only adds to the belief that Dhoni, in fact, is the man to lead India to a massive win after a disappointing run in the last two years, which included defeats against England and Australia.
With the curator of the PCA stadium, Daljit Singh, who also happens to be in charge of the BCCI grounds and pitches committee, claiming that the track will assist the spinners, India will, in all likelihood, again pack their attack with slow bowlers.
The ploy has, so far, worked for the hosts, and they are unlikely to disturb the combination, despite Mohali`s tradition of providing wickets that favoured the fast bowlers.
All seems well in the Indian camp and the hosts are assured that everything is under control.
The pitch has been the centre of much speculation over the last few days. Surely it will favour the spinners, but the Aussies can take heart from the fact that it won`t be the crumbling tracks they endured in Chennai, and to a lesser extent, Hyderabad.
But with four of their players gone, the options are very limited for the Aussies.
Ed Cowan and David Warner will open the batting, with the out-of-form Phil Hughes coming in at number three. Both Cowan and Hughes figuring in the XI, despite a run of poor scores, will surely somewhat expose Australia`s weaknesses even more.
The indomitable Michale Clarke, as in the first two matches, is again expected to shoulder the bulk of responsibility in batting considering Australia`s thin experience in that department.
Doughty is the appropriate word that best describes the Australian skipper`s knocks in the first two Tests in Chennai and Hyderabad, but hopes of making a comeback in the four-match series will also hinge on others.
IPL`s latest million dollar baby, Glen Maxwell, who made his debut in the last Test in Hyderabad, is not a sure-shot starter but Moises Henriques, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc are again certainty.
One is yet to get a definitive answer on wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade`s fitness, but his cover Brad Haddin, is also set to be included in the line-up, with Xavier Doherty and Nathan Lyon as the two sinners.
Even though they are set to miss the services of a few key players, Australia can only hope that the extraordinary turn of events off the field don`t impact their performance in the match, which is a must-win one for them.
Squads:
India (from): Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harbhajan Singh, Pragyan Ojha, Ishant Sharma, Ashok Dinda, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Australia (from): Michael Clarke (capt), Ed Cowan, David Warner, Phil Hughes, Matthew Wade, Glenn Maxwell, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Moises Henriques, Xavier Doherty, Steve Smith, Brad Haddin.
Dhoni the best ever indian test captain:
Dhoni now has most wins by an Indian captain (22 in 45 matches) eclipsing Saurav Ganguly who won 21 of his 49 matches as Test captain.
Indeed Dhoni is the most successful Indian captain of all time having won a 50-over World Cup and a T20 World Cup.
Indeed Dhoni is the most successful Indian captain of all time having won a 50-over World Cup and a T20 World Cup.
India v Australia 2nd Test: India crush Aussies
India won the second Test against Australia by an innings and 135 runs at lunch on the fourth day at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
Australia were bowled out for 131 during an extended morning session during which they lost eight wickets for 57 runs in 35 overs.
India took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series having won the first match in Chennai by 212 runs.
This is India's sixth biggest Test win winning by an innings with a day and half to spare.
Ashwin finished with a rich haul of five for 63 while Jadeja complemented the off spinner by claiming three for 33.
Interestingly Australia's combined total of 368 (237-9 declared and 131) was two runs less than the partnership between Vijay and Pujara virtually single handedly destroyed the opposition during their 370-run stand.
Pattinson was the last man out trapped leg before by Ashwin for a duck after surviving 27 balls.
Australia became the first team to lose by an innings after declaring their first innings closed.
Australia collapsed in a heap after the fall of overnight Shane Watson with any addition to his score in the third over of the morning.
Left arm spinner Jadeja sounded the death knell for Australia by bowling skipper Clarke who was bowled playing inside a delivery which spun sharply and took his off stump.
Clarke (16) and Wade (10) were the only batsmen to make double figures on the fourth day as Jadeja wreaked havoc dismissing Henriques run out with a direct hit as Australia crashed to 111 for six.
"India deserve a lot of credit," said Michael Clarke. "They outplayed us in every facet of the game."
Clarke said they need to work hard and vowed to bounce back.
"There is no doubt we have a lot of work to do. In all facets of the game. There will certainly be no stone left unturned," he said.
He slammed the batsmen for lacking application.
"There is no excuse for that. There will be no break between the Test matches. There will be a lot of hard work, I can assure you," he added.
Indian skipper MS Dhoni said the start given by Bhuvneshwar Kumar on the first day was one of the key factors.
"It was important to get off to a good start. Bhuvneshwar provided that. You don't see fast bowlers getting too many in these conditions," he said.
He reiterated the importance of big partnerships after Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara laid the foundation for victory with an Indian record second wicket stand of 370.
"We often talk about long partnerships. If you get 40-50, you have to score big. That's what Pujara and Vijay did. That resulted in a massive partnership, which gave us the freedom to accelerate yesterday," he said.
Dhoni was once again modest after winning most matches as India's Test captain.
"Credit goes to the team and the support staff. And winning most matches as captain is a collective effort, and credit goes to each and everyone," he said.
Man of the match Cheteshwar Pujara who scored a monumental double century said he was under pressure to perform despite being a prolific run getter in the domestic circuit.
"I just got married, and my wife was worried I should perform. We knew that the new ball would do a bit. The plan was to not lose any wickets in that first session," he said.
Australia were bowled out for 131 during an extended morning session during which they lost eight wickets for 57 runs in 35 overs.
India took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series having won the first match in Chennai by 212 runs.
This is India's sixth biggest Test win winning by an innings with a day and half to spare.
Ashwin finished with a rich haul of five for 63 while Jadeja complemented the off spinner by claiming three for 33.
Interestingly Australia's combined total of 368 (237-9 declared and 131) was two runs less than the partnership between Vijay and Pujara virtually single handedly destroyed the opposition during their 370-run stand.
Pattinson was the last man out trapped leg before by Ashwin for a duck after surviving 27 balls.
Australia became the first team to lose by an innings after declaring their first innings closed.
Australia collapsed in a heap after the fall of overnight Shane Watson with any addition to his score in the third over of the morning.
Left arm spinner Jadeja sounded the death knell for Australia by bowling skipper Clarke who was bowled playing inside a delivery which spun sharply and took his off stump.
Clarke (16) and Wade (10) were the only batsmen to make double figures on the fourth day as Jadeja wreaked havoc dismissing Henriques run out with a direct hit as Australia crashed to 111 for six.
"India deserve a lot of credit," said Michael Clarke. "They outplayed us in every facet of the game."
Clarke said they need to work hard and vowed to bounce back.
"There is no doubt we have a lot of work to do. In all facets of the game. There will certainly be no stone left unturned," he said.
He slammed the batsmen for lacking application.
"There is no excuse for that. There will be no break between the Test matches. There will be a lot of hard work, I can assure you," he added.
Indian skipper MS Dhoni said the start given by Bhuvneshwar Kumar on the first day was one of the key factors.
"It was important to get off to a good start. Bhuvneshwar provided that. You don't see fast bowlers getting too many in these conditions," he said.
He reiterated the importance of big partnerships after Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara laid the foundation for victory with an Indian record second wicket stand of 370.
"We often talk about long partnerships. If you get 40-50, you have to score big. That's what Pujara and Vijay did. That resulted in a massive partnership, which gave us the freedom to accelerate yesterday," he said.
Dhoni was once again modest after winning most matches as India's Test captain.
"Credit goes to the team and the support staff. And winning most matches as captain is a collective effort, and credit goes to each and everyone," he said.
Man of the match Cheteshwar Pujara who scored a monumental double century said he was under pressure to perform despite being a prolific run getter in the domestic circuit.
"I just got married, and my wife was worried I should perform. We knew that the new ball would do a bit. The plan was to not lose any wickets in that first session," he said.
India wins first test by eight wickets, takes 1-0 lead
A Test Match with some the amazing performances by Indian Batsmen and bowlers has come to an end, as India won the first test against Australia at Chennai. India won the first test by eight wickets, following a target of 50 runs in 11.3 Overs.
The signal of India winning the first test has been quite active from the fourth day of the test. After Dhoni’s marvelous double and India scoring a huge 572, Australia came to bat on fourth day. But Indian spinners were relentless to take the wickets and the series started with Shane Watson.
India bowler Ravichandran Ashwin stroke again in the 2nds Innings and took 5 wickets. Apart from that Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja took two and three wickets respectively. On to the end of the fourth day, Henriques and Lyon were on crease, but the following day, Lyon was taken by Ravindra Jadeja.
India had a 50 runs target and with a whole day to play. Even with such a small target, India lost two wickets as Virendra Sehwag (19) and Murali Vijay (6). Then Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar and Pujara lead India to win.
Here is a quick look at the compact score card of India and Australia -
Australia 1st Innings
MJ Clarke – 130 runs (323 Balls)
MC Henriques – 68 runs (173 Balls)
DA Warner – 59 runs (133 Balls)
R Ashwin – 42 Overs (7 Wickets)
RA Jadeja – 36 Overs (2 Wickets)
Harbhajan Singh – 25 Overs (1 Wicket)
India 1st innings
MS Dhoni – 224 runs (365 Balls)
V Kohli – 107 runs (266 Balls)
SR Tendulkar – 81 runs (257 Balls)
JL Pattinson – 30 Overs (5 Wickets)
NM Lyon – 47 Overs (3 Wickets)
PM Siddle – 24.3 Overs (1 Wicket)
Australia 2nd Innings
MC Henriques* – 81 runs (159 Balls)
EJM Cowan – 32 runs (98 Balls)
MJ Clarke – 31 runs (70 Balls)
R Ashwin – 32 Overs (5 Wickets)
RA Jadeja – 31 Overs (3 Wickets)
Harbhajan Singh – 27 Overs (2 Wickets)
India 2nd Innings
V Sehwag – 19 runs (37 Balls)
SR Tendulkar – 13 runs (10 Balls)
M Vijay – 6 runs (12 Balls)
JL Pattinson – 3 Overs (1 Wicket)
NM Lyon – 5.3 Overs (1 Wicket)
The signal of India winning the first test has been quite active from the fourth day of the test. After Dhoni’s marvelous double and India scoring a huge 572, Australia came to bat on fourth day. But Indian spinners were relentless to take the wickets and the series started with Shane Watson.
India bowler Ravichandran Ashwin stroke again in the 2nds Innings and took 5 wickets. Apart from that Harbhajan Singh and Ravindra Jadeja took two and three wickets respectively. On to the end of the fourth day, Henriques and Lyon were on crease, but the following day, Lyon was taken by Ravindra Jadeja.
India had a 50 runs target and with a whole day to play. Even with such a small target, India lost two wickets as Virendra Sehwag (19) and Murali Vijay (6). Then Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar and Pujara lead India to win.
Here is a quick look at the compact score card of India and Australia -
Australia 1st Innings
MJ Clarke – 130 runs (323 Balls)
MC Henriques – 68 runs (173 Balls)
DA Warner – 59 runs (133 Balls)
R Ashwin – 42 Overs (7 Wickets)
RA Jadeja – 36 Overs (2 Wickets)
Harbhajan Singh – 25 Overs (1 Wicket)
India 1st innings
MS Dhoni – 224 runs (365 Balls)
V Kohli – 107 runs (266 Balls)
SR Tendulkar – 81 runs (257 Balls)
JL Pattinson – 30 Overs (5 Wickets)
NM Lyon – 47 Overs (3 Wickets)
PM Siddle – 24.3 Overs (1 Wicket)
Australia 2nd Innings
MC Henriques* – 81 runs (159 Balls)
EJM Cowan – 32 runs (98 Balls)
MJ Clarke – 31 runs (70 Balls)
R Ashwin – 32 Overs (5 Wickets)
RA Jadeja – 31 Overs (3 Wickets)
Harbhajan Singh – 27 Overs (2 Wickets)
India 2nd Innings
V Sehwag – 19 runs (37 Balls)
SR Tendulkar – 13 runs (10 Balls)
M Vijay – 6 runs (12 Balls)
JL Pattinson – 3 Overs (1 Wicket)
NM Lyon – 5.3 Overs (1 Wicket)
India vs Australia first Test: Mahendra Singh Dhoni scores maiden double ton, puts India on top
Mahendra Singh Dhoni gave an exhibition of blistering strokeplay to hit a career-best undefeated 206 while Virat Kohli cracked 107 as India rode on their captain's batting brilliance to gain control of the first cricket Test against Australia by taking a substantial 135-run first innings lead at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Sunday.
Dhoni produced a stunning counter-attacking knock to notch up his maiden double hundred, his sixth Test century overall, while Kohli recorded his fourth in longer format as the hosts reached a commanding 515 for eight at close, on an eventful third day's play.
The Indian captain set the M A Chidambaram stadium ablaze with his amazing strokeplay as he smashed 22 boundaries and five sixes during his 243-ball assault much to the delight of a sizeable Sunday crowd which cheered the Indians as they went about consolidating their position in the match.
Dhoni, who was agonisingly run out for 99 against England in India last Test in Nagpur, changed the complexion of the game with his aggressive batting after the hosts lost Sachin Tendulkar (81) early in the morning session. Tendulkar, who gave glimpses of his vintage form yesterday, could add just ten runs to his tally.
The Indians found the going a little tough in the pre-lunch session as the runs dried up but the second new ball ball saw the game slipping away from the Australians as both Dhoni and Kohli attacked the bowlers with an array of shots on both sides of the wicket.
The duo added 128 runs for the fifth wicket before off-spinner Nathan Lyon provided the breakthrough for the visitors with India still 56 runs short of Australia's first innings total.
Kohli paid the price for a lapse in concentration as he tried to lift a dlivery from Nathan Lyon over mid-on but could not get the desired elevation and Mitchell Starc latched on to a good catch. Kohli clobbered 15 boundaries and a six during his 206-ball knock.
Dhoni then took centrestage and virtually singlehandedly took India to a position of strength with a superb batting display in hot and humid conditions.
After Kohli's dismissal, India lost another three wickets in periodic intervals as Ravindra Jadeja (16), Ravichandran Ashwin (3) and Harbhajan Singh (11) were back in the pavilion.
However Bhuvneshwar Kumar (15 batting) complemented his skipper really well as they put on a record 109 runs for ninth wicket partnership against Australia.
There were times when Dhoni shielded Bhuvneshwar from the Aussie attack as he refused singles on a number of occasions.
The humidity took its toll but the skipper never gave in.
Whenever the Aussies tried to keep him quiet, he responded with a typical big hit either straight or towards the deep mid-wicket range.
The 31-year-old Dhoni recorded the highest score by an Indian wicket keeper, eclipsing Budhi Kundaran previous best of 192 scored against England in 1964 at Madras Corporation Stadium.
Dhoni also surpassed 4000 Test runs during his game-changing knock.
With couple of days left in the match, India will look to increase their lead as much as possible and then try to push for victory by bundling out out the Aussies cheaply in the second innings as the track is expected to deteriorate gradually.
With rough being created by the bowler's footmarks on both sides of the track, the Indian team would expect both in-form Ashwin and senior pro Harbhajan to make best use of the conditions so that India doesn't have to bat last on this track. Even if they come out to bat, they would expect the target to be less than 50 runs which will mean that batsmen won't be under any kind of pressure.
Ideally, Dhoni would be expecting that Bhuvneshwar provides him with the same kind of support tomorrow which will enable him to take the lead closer to 200 runs.
Dhoni produced a stunning counter-attacking knock to notch up his maiden double hundred, his sixth Test century overall, while Kohli recorded his fourth in longer format as the hosts reached a commanding 515 for eight at close, on an eventful third day's play.
The Indian captain set the M A Chidambaram stadium ablaze with his amazing strokeplay as he smashed 22 boundaries and five sixes during his 243-ball assault much to the delight of a sizeable Sunday crowd which cheered the Indians as they went about consolidating their position in the match.
Dhoni, who was agonisingly run out for 99 against England in India last Test in Nagpur, changed the complexion of the game with his aggressive batting after the hosts lost Sachin Tendulkar (81) early in the morning session. Tendulkar, who gave glimpses of his vintage form yesterday, could add just ten runs to his tally.
The Indians found the going a little tough in the pre-lunch session as the runs dried up but the second new ball ball saw the game slipping away from the Australians as both Dhoni and Kohli attacked the bowlers with an array of shots on both sides of the wicket.
The duo added 128 runs for the fifth wicket before off-spinner Nathan Lyon provided the breakthrough for the visitors with India still 56 runs short of Australia's first innings total.
Kohli paid the price for a lapse in concentration as he tried to lift a dlivery from Nathan Lyon over mid-on but could not get the desired elevation and Mitchell Starc latched on to a good catch. Kohli clobbered 15 boundaries and a six during his 206-ball knock.
Dhoni then took centrestage and virtually singlehandedly took India to a position of strength with a superb batting display in hot and humid conditions.
After Kohli's dismissal, India lost another three wickets in periodic intervals as Ravindra Jadeja (16), Ravichandran Ashwin (3) and Harbhajan Singh (11) were back in the pavilion.
However Bhuvneshwar Kumar (15 batting) complemented his skipper really well as they put on a record 109 runs for ninth wicket partnership against Australia.
There were times when Dhoni shielded Bhuvneshwar from the Aussie attack as he refused singles on a number of occasions.
The humidity took its toll but the skipper never gave in.
Whenever the Aussies tried to keep him quiet, he responded with a typical big hit either straight or towards the deep mid-wicket range.
The 31-year-old Dhoni recorded the highest score by an Indian wicket keeper, eclipsing Budhi Kundaran previous best of 192 scored against England in 1964 at Madras Corporation Stadium.
Dhoni also surpassed 4000 Test runs during his game-changing knock.
With couple of days left in the match, India will look to increase their lead as much as possible and then try to push for victory by bundling out out the Aussies cheaply in the second innings as the track is expected to deteriorate gradually.
With rough being created by the bowler's footmarks on both sides of the track, the Indian team would expect both in-form Ashwin and senior pro Harbhajan to make best use of the conditions so that India doesn't have to bat last on this track. Even if they come out to bat, they would expect the target to be less than 50 runs which will mean that batsmen won't be under any kind of pressure.
Ideally, Dhoni would be expecting that Bhuvneshwar provides him with the same kind of support tomorrow which will enable him to take the lead closer to 200 runs.
Dravid to be honoured with Padma Bhushan
Rahul Dravid, the former India batsman, has been listed, among 24 others, for the Padma Bhushan award, India's third highest civilian honour. Now a television analyst, commentator and columnist for ESPNcricinfo, Dravid announced his retirement from international cricket last year, having scored 13,288 runs in Tests and 10,889 runs in ODIs during a 15-year career.
He is the only cricketer in the list of Padma Bhushan awardees. Indian boxer Mary Kom being the other sportsperson to be short-listed for the honour.
Dravid, who shouldered a large portion of India's batting burden during their period of strength at home and abroad in the past decade, was nominated for the Khel Ratna, India's highest honour in sports, six months ago. He won the Arjuna Award in 1998 and was given the Padma Shri in 2004.
He joins nine other cricketers, including Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar Vinoo Mankad and Lala Amarnath, to have had received the Padma Bhushan. Sachin Tendulkar is the only cricketer to have be awarded with the Padma Vibhushan, India's second highest civilian honour.
4th ODI: India beat England by 5 wickets, clinch grudge series:
A rejuvenated India clinched the one-day series against England as the hosts rode on the batting heroics of Rohit Sharma (83) and Suresh Raina (89 not out) to fashion a comfortable five-wicket victory in the penultimate game and take an unassailable 3-1 lead here today.
The Indians first restricted the visitors to 257 for seven and then overcame some anxious moments before overhauling the target with 15 balls to spare in a floodlit contest played in cold conditions at the PCA stadium.
Though the hosts had the game in control after putting England into bat, they conceded as many as 100 runs in the last ten overs with unheralded Joe Root (57 not out off 45 balls) and Kevin Pietersen (76) providing the late sparks with some lusty hits.
Captain Alastair Cook was another notable performer with a knock of 76.
But the Indians held their nerve during the run chase and it was ultimately Raina who guided the team home.
It was a creditable series victory for Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men who had come under fire for indifferent performances in recent times, which saw the team lose a Test series to England and an ODI series defeat against arch rivals Pakistan at home.
It was Rohit Sharma, rated as highly talented but one who has seldom delivered, who turned the spotlight on himself as he grabbed with both hands an unexpected opportunity to feature in the playing eleven as an opener in place of Ajinkya Rahane.
Sharma proved his class with some delightful shots to lay the foundation for the chase and his show will enhance his chances of cementing a place in the ODI team.
Ravindra Jadeja hit the winning runs by taking three off Jade Dernbach to trigger off scenes of wild celebrations in the galleries and the Indian dressing room where the players hugged each other.
The two teams will now move to the picturesque town of Dharamsala for the last and final match on Sunday, though it has now been rendered inconsequential.
India lost opener Gautam Gambhir early but the left- hander, who has been out of form for quite a while, was distinctly unlucky to have been adjudged caught behind by umpire Steve Davis as replays suggested that there was no edge.
Gambhir tried to poke at an outside-the-offstump delivery off Tim Bresnan and the English fielders appealed for a caught behind which was upheld by the umpire. Gambhir was shocked and was seen shaking his head while walking to the pavilion.
The hosts could have been in more trouble had Pietersen not spilled a difficult catch of Sharma when he was on 12, with Bresnan being the bowler.
Sharma and Virat Kohli steadied the innings with a 52-run partnership for the second before James Tredwell struck for his team in his very first over by evicting Kohli for 26.
It was a tossed up delivery and Kohli drove it straight to the bowler for a simple return catch.
Local hero Yuvraj, who joined the action after Kohli's dismissal, did not survive long as he fell prey to Tredwell, who trapped him leg before as he went for a pre-meditated sweep shot.
Sharma notched up his 13th ODI half century and celebrated the moment by spanking Tredwell for a six and a four off consecutive deliveries.
Sharma, who came into the team in place of an out-of-form Rahane, found an able ally in Raina who scored at a brisk race to put the pressure back on the visitors. The pair scored 50 runs off just 37 balls.
Just when they seemed to be going great guns, Steve Finn provided the breakthrough by sending back Sharma with a ball that dipped in sharply, trapping the batsman leg before wicket. Sharma's 83 came off 93 balls and contained 11 boundaries and a six.
Raina was lucky to get a reprieve when he was caught by Cook in the slip but Davis signalled a dead ball as the bowler Finn had knocked the stumps over on his delivery stride, much to the relief of a near-capacity crowd.
Earlier, put into bat, England lost three wickets in quick succession in the middle of the innings after a reasonably good start, but the young Root unleashed a stunning counter attack to steer the total past the 250 mark, which looked doubtful at one stage.
Root, who clobbered eight boundaries and a six during his 45-ball blitzkrieg, and Pietersen were largely responsible for England's recovery.
Spinner Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the Indian bowlers with 3/39 while Ishant Sharma 2/47 and R Ashwin 2/63 were the other wicket takers.
England's opening pair put on 37 runs for the first wicket before Ishant provided the breakthrough by evicting Bell, who perished to a rash stroke.
Bell decided to step out against Ishant but could not get to the pitch of the ball and Kumar pulled off a brilliant diving catch at the third man region.
Pietersen, who joined the action after Bell's dismissal, started off watchfully and took some time to get off the mark.
The experienced duo of Cook and Pietersen kept the scoreboard moving with gentle nudges and pushes and did not take too many risks as they steered England past 100.
The duo stitched 95 runs for the second wicket before off spinner Ashwin came to the hosts' rescue by dismissing Cook in what appeared to be a dubious decision by Sudhir Asnani.
Cook was wrapped on the pad while trying to play forward but the ball appeared to have pitched outside the leg stump line. Cook slammed 13 boundaries during his knock which came off 106 balls.
The departure of Cook triggered off a collapse of sorts as Eoin Morgan (3) and Samit Patel (1) perished in quick succession as England slipped from a comfortable 132 for one to 142 for four.
India reclaim top spot in ICC ODI rankings after beating England by 7 wickets at Ranchi ODI:
India reclaim top spot in ICC ODI rankings after beating England by 7 wickets at Ranchi ODI
For the second match in a row, Alastair Cook's men batted like the England of old, and India steamrolled them by seven wickets with 22.5 overs to spare to take a 2-1 lead in the five-matchOne-Day Internationalseries in Ranchi on Saturday.
The victory, coupled with South Africa's onewicket loss to New Zealand later in the day, took India to the No.1 spot in the ICC ODI rankings.
In their last three bilateral series in India, England had won just one of 16 games, before shocking the home side in a high-scoring opener in Rajkot last week. But in Kochi and now Ranchi too, their frailty against slow bowling resurfaced.
Starting circumspectly against the inexperienced Indian new ball bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shami Ahmed, the visitors put themselves under pressure and paid the price later in the innings as they were shot out for just 155 in the 43rd over.
India knocked off the required runs in quick time, and the bonus for them was the return to form of Virat Kohli, whose 79-ball 77 was a sight for sore eyes.
After the early fall of Ajinkya Rahane for a duck, bowled by Steven Finn, Kohli and Gautam Gambhir took their time to get going, but put 67 for the second wicket that took the fight out of England. Kohli decided to counterattack his way into form, and after a top-edged pull went to the boundary, put on an exhibition of class batsmanship.
Anything that was pitched short was pulled away through mid-wicket, while the overpitched ones were driven elegantly through the off-side, sending the capacity crowd into delirium.
The highlight, though, was an on-drive off Finn in the 11thover that would've made one Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar feel proud.
Gambhir (33) was starting to look confident but ended up wasting yet another start when he chipped one to mid-on against off-spinner James Tredwell. That brought in Yuvraj Singh (30), who stroked six of the prettiest boundaries of the day in his 21-ball knock. But he also couldn't stick around till the end and was bowled by Tredwell.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni then walked out to the loudest of cheers from the crowd and sewed it up soon after.
He first hit a ferocious straight drive off Finn that ricocheted of the stumps at the non-striker's end and still beat mid-off to the boundary, and, after a quiet over against Tredwell, pulled Finn to the square leg fence for the winning runs as his home crowd chanted his name.
Earlier, Dhoni did well to read the pitch correctly and insert the opposition upon winning the toss. The curator had claimed it was a 350-plus wicket, but the way Cook and Ian Bell began against Bhuvneshwar and Shami, it looked anything but.
Cook (17) fell lbw to a straight ball from Shami in the eighth over with the score at 24.
Ishant Sharma, who started off by conceding two boundaries to new man Kevin Pietersen, got his revenge when a short-oflength delivery reared up and the umpire ruled him caught behind, even though the bat had only made contact with the pad.
Bell's 43-ball 25 was ended by Bhuvneshwar in the next over, the 16th. Joe Root and Eoin Morgan looked to rebuild by picking up ones and twos, but Morgan's ill-advised reverse sweep to Ravichandran Ashwin ballooned to Yuvraj at backward point, and opened the floodgates. From 97 for three, England lost three wickets for one run in the space of nine balls, with Ravindra Jadeja snaring Craig Kieswetter and Samit Patel with arm balls.
The Yorkshire duo Root and Tim Bresnan hung around for a while but Ishant returned to get Root to edge behind, and then Ashwin produced a classical off-break to sneak through Bresnan's defence.
For the second match in a row, Alastair Cook's men batted like the England of old, and India steamrolled them by seven wickets with 22.5 overs to spare to take a 2-1 lead in the five-matchOne-Day Internationalseries in Ranchi on Saturday.
The victory, coupled with South Africa's onewicket loss to New Zealand later in the day, took India to the No.1 spot in the ICC ODI rankings.
In their last three bilateral series in India, England had won just one of 16 games, before shocking the home side in a high-scoring opener in Rajkot last week. But in Kochi and now Ranchi too, their frailty against slow bowling resurfaced.
Starting circumspectly against the inexperienced Indian new ball bowlers Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Shami Ahmed, the visitors put themselves under pressure and paid the price later in the innings as they were shot out for just 155 in the 43rd over.
India knocked off the required runs in quick time, and the bonus for them was the return to form of Virat Kohli, whose 79-ball 77 was a sight for sore eyes.
After the early fall of Ajinkya Rahane for a duck, bowled by Steven Finn, Kohli and Gautam Gambhir took their time to get going, but put 67 for the second wicket that took the fight out of England. Kohli decided to counterattack his way into form, and after a top-edged pull went to the boundary, put on an exhibition of class batsmanship.
Anything that was pitched short was pulled away through mid-wicket, while the overpitched ones were driven elegantly through the off-side, sending the capacity crowd into delirium.
The highlight, though, was an on-drive off Finn in the 11thover that would've made one Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar feel proud.
Gambhir (33) was starting to look confident but ended up wasting yet another start when he chipped one to mid-on against off-spinner James Tredwell. That brought in Yuvraj Singh (30), who stroked six of the prettiest boundaries of the day in his 21-ball knock. But he also couldn't stick around till the end and was bowled by Tredwell.
Mahendra Singh Dhoni then walked out to the loudest of cheers from the crowd and sewed it up soon after.
He first hit a ferocious straight drive off Finn that ricocheted of the stumps at the non-striker's end and still beat mid-off to the boundary, and, after a quiet over against Tredwell, pulled Finn to the square leg fence for the winning runs as his home crowd chanted his name.
Earlier, Dhoni did well to read the pitch correctly and insert the opposition upon winning the toss. The curator had claimed it was a 350-plus wicket, but the way Cook and Ian Bell began against Bhuvneshwar and Shami, it looked anything but.
Cook (17) fell lbw to a straight ball from Shami in the eighth over with the score at 24.
Ishant Sharma, who started off by conceding two boundaries to new man Kevin Pietersen, got his revenge when a short-oflength delivery reared up and the umpire ruled him caught behind, even though the bat had only made contact with the pad.
Bell's 43-ball 25 was ended by Bhuvneshwar in the next over, the 16th. Joe Root and Eoin Morgan looked to rebuild by picking up ones and twos, but Morgan's ill-advised reverse sweep to Ravichandran Ashwin ballooned to Yuvraj at backward point, and opened the floodgates. From 97 for three, England lost three wickets for one run in the space of nine balls, with Ravindra Jadeja snaring Craig Kieswetter and Samit Patel with arm balls.
The Yorkshire duo Root and Tim Bresnan hung around for a while but Ishant returned to get Root to edge behind, and then Ashwin produced a classical off-break to sneak through Bresnan's defence.
Ind vs Eng: Hosts thrash England in 2nd ODI by 127 runs
Kochi: India finally found their winning touch as they relied on a brilliant all-round display to thrash England by an emphatic 127 runs in the second cricket one-dayer here on Tuesday.
India first posted a competitive 285, riding on captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni`s 72 and Ravindra Jadeja`s 61, before the bowlers skittled out the visitors for a paltry 158 in just 36 overs to level the five-match series 1-1.
It was a convincing and morale-boosting victory for the Indians who have struggled of late even in home conditions, losing the ODI series to arch-rivals Pakistan and the Test series against England.
The hosts did well in all departments of the game, though the batting of the top order continued to be a concern with Gautam Gambhir (8) and Ajinkya Rahane (4) failing to deliver while the form of Virat Kohli remained patchy though he scored 37 today.
It was Dhoni`s 66-ball 72 and Jadeja`s blistering unbeaten knock of 61 in just 37 balls which provided the late flourish to the Indian innings. Suresh Raina (55) and Yuvraj Singh (32), who was distinctly unlucky to be given LBW, were the other notable contributors.
With the Nehru Stadium providing ample assistance to the bowlers in the second half, the Indians exploited the conditions to the hilt to bundle out the visitors with Kevin Pietersen being the top-scorer with a 58-ball 42.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar (3/29), R Ashwin (3/39) and Jadeja (2/12) were the pick of the Indian bowlers to give the hosts a resounding victory in front of a capacity crowd.
The two teams will now travel to Ranchi for the third one-dayer to be played on January 19.
It was rookie Shami Ahmed who gave India an early breakthrough with the wicket of Ian Bell (1) who chased a wide ball which pitched up and swung, only to take an edge to Dhoni in the second over of the England run chase.
As if taking revenge for Bell's wicket, England captain Alastair Cook punished Shami for two fours in the fourth over and Pietersen joined his skipper by carting the same bowler for three boundaries three overs later.
England were scoring at a brisk pace, more than five an over, and Ishant Sharma's introduction in the 10th over did not stop the flow of runs and the pacer was greeted with two boundaries by Pietersen.
Just as England looked like settling down after the initial jolt, Bhuvneshawr Kumar rocked the visitors run chase with a double strike in three deliveries.
Cook, who was looking solid, missed a good length delivery off Kumar, the first ball of the 11th over, and the umpire signalled the dismissal of the batsman. Cook's 17 came from 27 balls and was studded with three boundaries.
Two balls later, Kumar dealt a massive jolt to England innings by taking the wicket of Pietersen with a gem of a delivery. Pietersen was bowled off a sharp incutter which, after pitching at good length, jagged past the inside edge of the batsman's angled bat before crashing onto the wickets.
Pietersen's 42 came from 44 balls and was studded with seven fours.
Kumar returned four overs later to remove Eoin Morgan for a duck with captain Dhoni holding a superb, low catch to his left to leave England at 73 for four in the 15th over.
The quick jolts led England to slow down with Joe Root (36) and Craig Kieswetter (18) trying to consolidate rather than being adventurous and at the halfway mark they were 106 for four with the asking rate shooting over seven an over.
Jadeja returned in the 31st over for a double strike as he removed Root and Chris Woakes (0) in the space of four balls to leave England tottering at 132 for seven.
Ravichandran Ashwin, who has been struggling for some time, played his part with three wickets in his two overs as he polished off the England tail -- James Tredwell (1), Steven Finn (0) and Jade Dernbach (2).
The visitors lost six wickets in six overs as India won the match with 14 overs to spare.
Earlier, Dhoni continued his rich vein of form to steer the hosts to a challenging total after they were reduced to 119-4 in 26.2 overs.
Dhoni featured in two crucial partnerships --- first adding 55 runs with Suresh Raina and then 96 runs with Ravindra Jadeja for the fifth and sixth wickets respectively.
Middle-order batsman Raina also cracked a well-paced half-century off 78 balls, studded with two sixes and a couple of fours, to initially steady the innings along with Dhoni having come into bat at No 5.
However, it was in the last 10 overs which gave the hosts the impetus as Dhoni and allrounder Ravindra Jadeja, amassed 108 runs, to put the team in a comfortable position after they decided to bat first.
Steven Finn was the top wicket-taker for England as he took two wickets for 51 runs, while James Tredwell bowled really well, taking one wicket for 48 runs.
Jade Dernbach and Chris Woakes were expensive but snapped two and one wicket to contribute to the team.
Earlier, India had a tottering start as they were reduced to 18 for two by the English pace duo of Finn and Dernbach.
Gautam Gambhir (8) and Ajinkya Rahane (4) paid the price for their poor footwork as both were cleaned bowled by Dernbach and Finn respectively.
While, Gambhir failed to defend an incoming delivery from Finn, Rahane tried to play too away from the body, leaving a huge gap which was breached by the inswinger from Dernbach.
Virat Kohli and Yuvraj Singh then tried to steady the ship and added 53 runs off 65 balls for the third wicket. Raina and Kohli then forged another 48-run stand for the fifth wicket and helped India cross the 100-run mark before the late flourish of Dhoni and Jadeja.
Ind vs Eng: England win first ODI against India by 9 runs at Rajkot.
India fall short despite half centuries by Yuvraj and Raina
England held their nerve to restrict India to 316 for nine and win the first one-day international at Rajkot on Friday by 9 runs.
The tourists always held the upper hand in the game after making 325 for 4 having elected to bat first at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
This is England's first win in India after 13 ODIs, since 12 April 2006.
It also ended India's bid to jump two places and secure top ranking in the ICC ODI rankings which required them to win the England series 5-0.
England skipper Cook said: "It was a good toss to win. Very good wicket, and we made the most of it. Proud of the side. Samit and Craig at the end made a difference."
India made a valiant attempt to chase down the massive target after a 96-run opening partnership Gautam Gambhir (52) and Ajankye Rahane (47).
Half centuries by Yuvraj Singh (61) and Suresh Raina (50) kept them in the hunt, but the dismissal of skipper Dhoni (32) in the 45th effectively ended their hopes of victory.
"It was difficult but we should have got there," said Indian skipper Dhoni.
Off spinner James Tredwell struck crucial blows at regular interval to peg back India's run chase.
Tredwell finished with superb figures of 4 for 44 on a perfect batting strip to be adjudged man of the match.
"We got wickets at the right time, even at the lower end, it is what helped us get over the line," said Tredwell.
Pacers Jade Dernbach and Tim Bresnan kept their cool particularly in the death overs to pick up two wickets apiece.
Earlier, a record opening stand of 158 between Ian Bell (85) and Alistair Cook (75) laid the foundation for England's matchwinning total.
The 70-run partnership in 37 balls for the unbroken fifth wicket between Craig Kieswetter and Samit Patel turned out to be the difference in the final analysis.
Ishant Sharma was the most expensive Indian bowler going for 80 in his 10 overs which included two maidens.
Sharma edged the first ball of the last over from Bresnan to third man to give India a glimmer of hope.
It had faded when Ravichandran Ashwin was caught behind off Steven Finn to be eighth out after hitting two boundaries in his 13 in the 48th over.
Ashoke Dinda was ninth out bowled by Bresnan for 3.
It was Jade Dernbach's double strike in the 45th over that put England firmly back in control.
India suffered a major setback in chasing down England's target of 326 when Dhoni scooped a slower one from Dernbach straight to Root at long off.
He blasted four sixes during his 25-ball 32.
Dhoni turned it on for India clubbing Bresnan straight back into the stands.
He took charge of the run chase by whacking Samit Patel for two massive sixes within the space of three balls after Tredwell had dismissed Raina.
After Dhoni had smacked him for a massive six into the stands, Tredwell induced to lob a return catch after adding 45 runs in seven overs for the fifth wicket.
With 128 needed off the last 15 overs, Raina stepped up to the plate cracking two boundaries of Finn in the 36th.
Raina survived after Bresnan was deemed to have grassed a sharp chance in the deep off Finn as India posted 33 runs in the five Powerplay overs.
But just when India's run chase of 326 seemed to be back on track, England claimed the big wicket of Yuvraj Singh.
Yuvraj perished in the 35th over attempting to paddle a Tredwell delivery only to lob an easy catch to Dernbach at short fine leg after making 61 off 54 balls.
He led India's attempt to overhaul England's target with an enterprising half century, his fourth wicket alliance with Raina yielding 60 runs.
Raina hit two boundaries off Joe Root in the 32nd over to bring up their half century partnership in 37 balls.
Yuvraj raced to a powerpacked half century which contained eight boundaries and one six off just 38 balls.
It was his 50th ODI fifty and seventh against England.
Yuvraj attacked Dernbach whipping him for three boundaries in the leg side in the 28th over, including two in succession to race to 40 off 30 balls.
He also got two consecutive boundaries off Root.
India lost their third wicket when Bresnan removed the out of form Virat Kohli caught behind by Craig Keiswetter.
Kohli made 15 off 22 balls with one boundary.
Earlier, off spinner James Tredwell struck for England in successive overs after India got off to a flying start chasing a target of 326.
England's pace duo of Bresnan and Dernbach put India on the back foot with a barrage of bouncers.
However, Yuvraj hit out by lashing Bresnan for a six to break the shackles.
India lost their first wicket in the 17th over when Ajankye Rahane miscued a lofted shot to Dernbach in the deep off spinner James Tredwell for 47 off 57 balls with six boundaries.
Gambhir completed his 34th ODI fifty off 48 balls with six boundaries but departed shortly for 52 after chipping one to Ian Bell at midwicket.
Runs seem to dry up for India once the spinners were introduced.
But Yuvraj unfazed clobbered Tredwell to midwicket and got a fine glance of Bresnan to the fence.
India's openers have posted 66 runs, 12 more than England did, with 11 boundaries coming off the blades of Gambhir (35) and Rahane (31).
England's openers took 9.3 overs to reach 50 but India needed just 41 balls with Rahane and Gambhir hitting boundaries at will.
Gambhir led the way scoring three consecutive boundaries of Finn's third over while Rahane finished the most productive over India which yielded 17 runs with a flick to fine leg boundary.
Openers Ian Bell (85) and Alistair Cook (75) gave England a solid start.
Kevin Pietersen (44) and Eoin Morgan (41) continued the momentum after the openers departed in quick succession with a 76-run partnership for the fourth wicket as they plundered 44 runs in the second Powerplay overs.
But India hit back with Dinda removing both Pietersen and Morgan to finish with two for 53.
However, there was no respite for the hosts as Craig Kieswetter and Samit Patel added 70 runs in the last six overs for the unbroken fifth wicket.
Their 50 partnership came in just 31 balls.
Patel who remained unbeaten on 44 off 20 balls finished the innings with a flourish smashing three consecutive boundaries off Bhuvneshwar Kumar, including a six over extra cover.
Kieswetter made a 24 off 20 balls with two sixes and a boundary.
He began the assault in the final overs against Sharma by smashing him over the ropes before Patel took over by cracking three boundaries in four balls in the penultimate over of the innings.
Kieswetter rounded it off with an extraordinary hit over extra cover as Sharma went for 20 in this over.
Dinda struck a double blow for England by getting rid of Morgan and Pietersen.
Pietersen tried to hit Dinda out of the ground but only succeeded in holing out to Kohli in the deep after making 44 off 45 balls with four boundaries and six.
India removed the dangerous Morgan with Dinda hanging onto a return catch after deceiving the left hander with a slower delivery to peg back England to 248 for 3 in the 42nd over.
It was a great comeback by Dinda who had been hammered for a six and four in the first two balls.
Morgan made 41 off 38 balls with four boundaries and two sixes after adding 76 runs in 10.5 overs with Pietersen for the third wicket.
Pietersen and Morgan regained the momentum for England in the second Powerplay overs as India conceded 44 runs.
Left-hander Morgan continued the assault by hoisting Dinda over long off and then hitting a boundary to mid off in the 41st over.
Pietersen got into stride opening his shoulders to slam two boundaries off Sharma to bring up the 200 of the innings in the 38th over.
He then cracked a boundary through through covers and smashed Ashwin over his head for a six three balls later in the 39th over.
Morgan hit two consecutive boundaries off Sharma to bring up their 50 partnership in 49 balls. He also thumped a six as Sharma went for 15 in the final powerplay over.
England openers Cook and Bell sent India on a leather hunt with a record stand of 158 before departing within the space of four overs.
India broke the opening stand with a smart piece of fielding by Rahane who ran out Bell with a direct hit after Cook set off for a quick single.
Bell made 85 off 96 balls with nine boundaries and a six with Cook's contribution in their partnership being 68.
Cook departed when he top edged a sweep to Rahane at short fine leg off Raina for 75 after facing 83 balls and hitting 11 fours and a six.
With India's blunt attack being exposed by Bell and Cook, Dhoni turned to his part timers Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli.
Bell was the dominant partner in the partnership completing his 24th one-day half century and fifth against India with a reverse sweep to the fence against Jadeja.
He faced 60 balls and hit seven boundaries and the first six of the match against Jadeja during his fluent knock.
Cook also got into the act with a reverse sweep against Jadeja for his sixth boundary and hita couple more when Dinda returned.
Cook brought up the 100 partnership with a exquisite jab to long off in the 19th over and reached his 14th ODI fifty by lofting Ashwin over midoff for his ninth boundary after facing 50 balls.
The left-hander hit his first six of the innings when he thumped Ashwin over long and swatted another to the midwicket fence two balls to step up the tempo of the England innings in the 24th over.
India introduced spin from the 12th over with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin coming into the attack with the pacers failing to get a breakthrough.
Kumar went for 26 in his five overs and Sharma was a mixed bag going for 21 in four overs despite bowling two maidens.
Bell hit the first boundary of the match when he edged a rising delivery from Ishant Sharma to third man.
Cook brought up the 50 of the England innings clipping Dinda to the midwicket fence in the 10th over.
England held their nerve to restrict India to 316 for nine and win the first one-day international at Rajkot on Friday by 9 runs.
The tourists always held the upper hand in the game after making 325 for 4 having elected to bat first at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
This is England's first win in India after 13 ODIs, since 12 April 2006.
It also ended India's bid to jump two places and secure top ranking in the ICC ODI rankings which required them to win the England series 5-0.
England skipper Cook said: "It was a good toss to win. Very good wicket, and we made the most of it. Proud of the side. Samit and Craig at the end made a difference."
India made a valiant attempt to chase down the massive target after a 96-run opening partnership Gautam Gambhir (52) and Ajankye Rahane (47).
Half centuries by Yuvraj Singh (61) and Suresh Raina (50) kept them in the hunt, but the dismissal of skipper Dhoni (32) in the 45th effectively ended their hopes of victory.
"It was difficult but we should have got there," said Indian skipper Dhoni.
Off spinner James Tredwell struck crucial blows at regular interval to peg back India's run chase.
Tredwell finished with superb figures of 4 for 44 on a perfect batting strip to be adjudged man of the match.
"We got wickets at the right time, even at the lower end, it is what helped us get over the line," said Tredwell.
Pacers Jade Dernbach and Tim Bresnan kept their cool particularly in the death overs to pick up two wickets apiece.
Earlier, a record opening stand of 158 between Ian Bell (85) and Alistair Cook (75) laid the foundation for England's matchwinning total.
The 70-run partnership in 37 balls for the unbroken fifth wicket between Craig Kieswetter and Samit Patel turned out to be the difference in the final analysis.
Ishant Sharma was the most expensive Indian bowler going for 80 in his 10 overs which included two maidens.
Sharma edged the first ball of the last over from Bresnan to third man to give India a glimmer of hope.
It had faded when Ravichandran Ashwin was caught behind off Steven Finn to be eighth out after hitting two boundaries in his 13 in the 48th over.
Ashoke Dinda was ninth out bowled by Bresnan for 3.
It was Jade Dernbach's double strike in the 45th over that put England firmly back in control.
India suffered a major setback in chasing down England's target of 326 when Dhoni scooped a slower one from Dernbach straight to Root at long off.
He blasted four sixes during his 25-ball 32.
Dhoni turned it on for India clubbing Bresnan straight back into the stands.
He took charge of the run chase by whacking Samit Patel for two massive sixes within the space of three balls after Tredwell had dismissed Raina.
After Dhoni had smacked him for a massive six into the stands, Tredwell induced to lob a return catch after adding 45 runs in seven overs for the fifth wicket.
With 128 needed off the last 15 overs, Raina stepped up to the plate cracking two boundaries of Finn in the 36th.
Raina survived after Bresnan was deemed to have grassed a sharp chance in the deep off Finn as India posted 33 runs in the five Powerplay overs.
But just when India's run chase of 326 seemed to be back on track, England claimed the big wicket of Yuvraj Singh.
Yuvraj perished in the 35th over attempting to paddle a Tredwell delivery only to lob an easy catch to Dernbach at short fine leg after making 61 off 54 balls.
He led India's attempt to overhaul England's target with an enterprising half century, his fourth wicket alliance with Raina yielding 60 runs.
Raina hit two boundaries off Joe Root in the 32nd over to bring up their half century partnership in 37 balls.
Yuvraj raced to a powerpacked half century which contained eight boundaries and one six off just 38 balls.
It was his 50th ODI fifty and seventh against England.
Yuvraj attacked Dernbach whipping him for three boundaries in the leg side in the 28th over, including two in succession to race to 40 off 30 balls.
He also got two consecutive boundaries off Root.
India lost their third wicket when Bresnan removed the out of form Virat Kohli caught behind by Craig Keiswetter.
Kohli made 15 off 22 balls with one boundary.
Earlier, off spinner James Tredwell struck for England in successive overs after India got off to a flying start chasing a target of 326.
England's pace duo of Bresnan and Dernbach put India on the back foot with a barrage of bouncers.
However, Yuvraj hit out by lashing Bresnan for a six to break the shackles.
India lost their first wicket in the 17th over when Ajankye Rahane miscued a lofted shot to Dernbach in the deep off spinner James Tredwell for 47 off 57 balls with six boundaries.
Gambhir completed his 34th ODI fifty off 48 balls with six boundaries but departed shortly for 52 after chipping one to Ian Bell at midwicket.
Runs seem to dry up for India once the spinners were introduced.
But Yuvraj unfazed clobbered Tredwell to midwicket and got a fine glance of Bresnan to the fence.
India's openers have posted 66 runs, 12 more than England did, with 11 boundaries coming off the blades of Gambhir (35) and Rahane (31).
England's openers took 9.3 overs to reach 50 but India needed just 41 balls with Rahane and Gambhir hitting boundaries at will.
Gambhir led the way scoring three consecutive boundaries of Finn's third over while Rahane finished the most productive over India which yielded 17 runs with a flick to fine leg boundary.
Openers Ian Bell (85) and Alistair Cook (75) gave England a solid start.
Kevin Pietersen (44) and Eoin Morgan (41) continued the momentum after the openers departed in quick succession with a 76-run partnership for the fourth wicket as they plundered 44 runs in the second Powerplay overs.
But India hit back with Dinda removing both Pietersen and Morgan to finish with two for 53.
However, there was no respite for the hosts as Craig Kieswetter and Samit Patel added 70 runs in the last six overs for the unbroken fifth wicket.
Their 50 partnership came in just 31 balls.
Patel who remained unbeaten on 44 off 20 balls finished the innings with a flourish smashing three consecutive boundaries off Bhuvneshwar Kumar, including a six over extra cover.
Kieswetter made a 24 off 20 balls with two sixes and a boundary.
He began the assault in the final overs against Sharma by smashing him over the ropes before Patel took over by cracking three boundaries in four balls in the penultimate over of the innings.
Kieswetter rounded it off with an extraordinary hit over extra cover as Sharma went for 20 in this over.
Dinda struck a double blow for England by getting rid of Morgan and Pietersen.
Pietersen tried to hit Dinda out of the ground but only succeeded in holing out to Kohli in the deep after making 44 off 45 balls with four boundaries and six.
India removed the dangerous Morgan with Dinda hanging onto a return catch after deceiving the left hander with a slower delivery to peg back England to 248 for 3 in the 42nd over.
It was a great comeback by Dinda who had been hammered for a six and four in the first two balls.
Morgan made 41 off 38 balls with four boundaries and two sixes after adding 76 runs in 10.5 overs with Pietersen for the third wicket.
Pietersen and Morgan regained the momentum for England in the second Powerplay overs as India conceded 44 runs.
Left-hander Morgan continued the assault by hoisting Dinda over long off and then hitting a boundary to mid off in the 41st over.
Pietersen got into stride opening his shoulders to slam two boundaries off Sharma to bring up the 200 of the innings in the 38th over.
He then cracked a boundary through through covers and smashed Ashwin over his head for a six three balls later in the 39th over.
Morgan hit two consecutive boundaries off Sharma to bring up their 50 partnership in 49 balls. He also thumped a six as Sharma went for 15 in the final powerplay over.
England openers Cook and Bell sent India on a leather hunt with a record stand of 158 before departing within the space of four overs.
India broke the opening stand with a smart piece of fielding by Rahane who ran out Bell with a direct hit after Cook set off for a quick single.
Bell made 85 off 96 balls with nine boundaries and a six with Cook's contribution in their partnership being 68.
Cook departed when he top edged a sweep to Rahane at short fine leg off Raina for 75 after facing 83 balls and hitting 11 fours and a six.
With India's blunt attack being exposed by Bell and Cook, Dhoni turned to his part timers Suresh Raina and Virat Kohli.
Bell was the dominant partner in the partnership completing his 24th one-day half century and fifth against India with a reverse sweep to the fence against Jadeja.
He faced 60 balls and hit seven boundaries and the first six of the match against Jadeja during his fluent knock.
Cook also got into the act with a reverse sweep against Jadeja for his sixth boundary and hita couple more when Dinda returned.
Cook brought up the 100 partnership with a exquisite jab to long off in the 19th over and reached his 14th ODI fifty by lofting Ashwin over midoff for his ninth boundary after facing 50 balls.
The left-hander hit his first six of the innings when he thumped Ashwin over long and swatted another to the midwicket fence two balls to step up the tempo of the England innings in the 24th over.
India introduced spin from the 12th over with Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin coming into the attack with the pacers failing to get a breakthrough.
Kumar went for 26 in his five overs and Sharma was a mixed bag going for 21 in four overs despite bowling two maidens.
Bell hit the first boundary of the match when he edged a rising delivery from Ishant Sharma to third man.
Cook brought up the 50 of the England innings clipping Dinda to the midwicket fence in the 10th over.
i lastly updated during the world t20.so india vs pak news wont be here.Sorry guys i have updated the site after india vs pak series .
ICC awards 2012
Sangakkara wins big at ICC awards
Named Cricketer of the Year | Fernando: Kumar's reign, South Africa's pain |
Levi takes T20 prize
Stafanie Taylor, Sarah Taylor win Women's awards
Dharmasena is Umpire of Year
Vettori gets Spirit of Cricket award
Dockrell Associates' best
Narine is Emerging Player
Sangakkara wins big at ICC awards
Named Cricketer of the Year | Fernando: Kumar's reign, South Africa's pain |
Levi takes T20 prize
Stafanie Taylor, Sarah Taylor win Women's awards
Dharmasena is Umpire of Year
Vettori gets Spirit of Cricket award
Dockrell Associates' best
Narine is Emerging Player
Kohli voted ODI Cricketer of the Year:
Virat Kohli, the India batsman, has been named the ODI Cricketer of the Year at the ICC awards function in Colombo. He was picked ahead of MS Dhoni, Lasith Malinga and Kumar Sangakkara.
During the period under consideration, Kohli played 31 ODIs and scored 1733 runs at an average of 66.65, including eight hundreds and six half-centuries. His highest score was 183, against Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
"I think I have tried to keep things as simple as possible and it's worked for me on the field," Kohli said. "This year has been a learning curve along the way from the seniors in the team. It's been an all-round effort and I'm very happy to have won this award.
"It's always nice to be recognised by the ICC, it's a great feeling, and it's the first time I've won one of these awards."
In a year in which Kohli was named India's one-day vice-captain, following a solid tour to Australia, his best innings came in must-win games for India. In Hobart, with India needing to chase down Sri Lanka's target of 321 in 40 overs to stay alive in the Commonwealth Bank Series, Kohli delivered with 133 not out of 86 balls. His unbroken 120-run stand with Suresh Raina came at 13.09 runs an over, and got India home in 36.4 overs. Three matches later, he put in a similar performance during his 183 in the Asia Cupagainst Pakistan - there India were chasing 330, and his knock came off 148 balls as India won with over two overs to spare. In that period, Kohli scored four centuries and one fifty in five innings.
Virat Kohli, the India batsman, has been named the ODI Cricketer of the Year at the ICC awards function in Colombo. He was picked ahead of MS Dhoni, Lasith Malinga and Kumar Sangakkara.
During the period under consideration, Kohli played 31 ODIs and scored 1733 runs at an average of 66.65, including eight hundreds and six half-centuries. His highest score was 183, against Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
"I think I have tried to keep things as simple as possible and it's worked for me on the field," Kohli said. "This year has been a learning curve along the way from the seniors in the team. It's been an all-round effort and I'm very happy to have won this award.
"It's always nice to be recognised by the ICC, it's a great feeling, and it's the first time I've won one of these awards."
In a year in which Kohli was named India's one-day vice-captain, following a solid tour to Australia, his best innings came in must-win games for India. In Hobart, with India needing to chase down Sri Lanka's target of 321 in 40 overs to stay alive in the Commonwealth Bank Series, Kohli delivered with 133 not out of 86 balls. His unbroken 120-run stand with Suresh Raina came at 13.09 runs an over, and got India home in 36.4 overs. Three matches later, he put in a similar performance during his 183 in the Asia Cupagainst Pakistan - there India were chasing 330, and his knock came off 148 balls as India won with over two overs to spare. In that period, Kohli scored four centuries and one fifty in five innings.
IPL news:
IPL loses its title sponsor DLF
The Indian Premier League has lost its title sponsor after real estate giant DLFdeclined to renew its five-year deal, a company spokesman said on Tuesday.
"We have just stepped off the IPL," said DLF group executive director Rajeev Talwar.
"Sponsoring the IPL over the last five years was a strategic decision wherein we wanted to establish our brand presence across India as the leading real estate player.
"We believe that we have been able to achieve the desired objectives to a great extent."
DLF reportedly paid $50 million to be the title sponsor of the glitzy Twenty20 league for the first five years, a deal which ended with the 2012 edition in March-April.
The last date for renewal of the contract was July 28, Talwar added.
There was no immediate comment from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which owns the IPL.
BCCI scouts for new IPL team, shortlists 10 cities
CHENNAI/ MUMBAI: After terminating Deccan Chargers' contract on Friday night, IPL's governing council decided on Saturday to float tender for a new IPL team and short-listed 10 cities - Ahmedabad, Visakhapatnam, Dharamsala, Indore, Jamshedpur, Nagpur, Cuttack, Kanpur (Greater Noida), Rajkot and Ranchi. The new IPL team could be based out of any of these cities.
Sources said the base price of new team will be Rs 300 crore for five years (Rs 60 crore a year) and will get the same share from the league's central revenue pool, which the original eight teams earn (60%). Sources added that the new team owners will be given the option of picking players from the terminated Chargers team for the next edition.
BCCI, which was supposed to make Rs 214 crore as franchisee fee from the Chargers over the next five years, now stands to gain more. Interestingly, the base price for the two new IPL teamsin 2010 was more than Rs 1000 crore.
Any decision on this will be taken only after the Deccan Chargers' plea against the termination is heard in the Mumbai high court on Monday. BCCI bosses are wary of the fact that if the court gives a ruling in Deccan's favour, IPL may become a 10-team affair in the sixth edition.
The Chargers owners had slapped a notice on the board early on Saturday claiming that they had not committed any breach of the contract which had resulted in the termination. It was later learnt that Yes Bank Ltd. had cleared the Chargers players' salary dues worth Rs 36 crore on behalf of the banks who have loaned money to the beleaguered team.
Meanwhile, when asked to give a reason for the low base price of the new team in the proposed tender, a senior board official said: "In 2010, when IPL had two new teams, the base price was high because the profit-sharing ratio was high in favour of the two new IPL teams (80:20). But incase of the new team, the profit sharing ratio will be 60:40."
Another official explained: "Bringing down the base price is okay. Base prices are calculated on the basis of market valuation. It's like the price of shares which keep going up and coming down."
On the decision to go in with just one new team and not two as earlier speculated, a BCCI official said: "Firstly, if two new teams come in, there are no players to buy because all top players are contracted with the existing teams. The Deccan Chargers players will be available for one year, so if one franchise is inducted, these players can play for the new franchise in 2013. Fresh player auctions are anyway scheduled for 2014. So, another team can always be added then."
He added: "There are too many pending litigations. The latest involves the Deccan Chargers. Then, the arbitration process in the sacked Kochi franchise case is on. Floating a tender for two new franchises right now is highly likely."
He pointed out that Hyderabad could be included in the list of cities when bidding happens in 2014.
Meanwhile, sources said Ahmedabad is leading the race for buying the new team as its bid will be backed by its state chief minister and Gujarat Cricket Association president Narendra Modi. The Gautam Adani-led company Adani Group is learnt to have renewed its interest in the IPL. Also in serious contention will be the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) and the Videocon Group.
It's also learnt that the Jaypee Group has shown interest in a team from Greater Noida.
A market expert added that BCCI's decision to float tender for a new team also stems from the pressure piled on by the broadcasters. "The biggest worry is the pressure from the broadcasters who may have already started selling inventory for the IPL 2013 season. That has to be justified and the only way to do it is by bringing IPL back to at least nine teams," the expert said.
IPL loses its title sponsor DLF
The Indian Premier League has lost its title sponsor after real estate giant DLFdeclined to renew its five-year deal, a company spokesman said on Tuesday.
"We have just stepped off the IPL," said DLF group executive director Rajeev Talwar.
"Sponsoring the IPL over the last five years was a strategic decision wherein we wanted to establish our brand presence across India as the leading real estate player.
"We believe that we have been able to achieve the desired objectives to a great extent."
DLF reportedly paid $50 million to be the title sponsor of the glitzy Twenty20 league for the first five years, a deal which ended with the 2012 edition in March-April.
The last date for renewal of the contract was July 28, Talwar added.
There was no immediate comment from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which owns the IPL.
BCCI scouts for new IPL team, shortlists 10 cities
CHENNAI/ MUMBAI: After terminating Deccan Chargers' contract on Friday night, IPL's governing council decided on Saturday to float tender for a new IPL team and short-listed 10 cities - Ahmedabad, Visakhapatnam, Dharamsala, Indore, Jamshedpur, Nagpur, Cuttack, Kanpur (Greater Noida), Rajkot and Ranchi. The new IPL team could be based out of any of these cities.
Sources said the base price of new team will be Rs 300 crore for five years (Rs 60 crore a year) and will get the same share from the league's central revenue pool, which the original eight teams earn (60%). Sources added that the new team owners will be given the option of picking players from the terminated Chargers team for the next edition.
BCCI, which was supposed to make Rs 214 crore as franchisee fee from the Chargers over the next five years, now stands to gain more. Interestingly, the base price for the two new IPL teamsin 2010 was more than Rs 1000 crore.
Any decision on this will be taken only after the Deccan Chargers' plea against the termination is heard in the Mumbai high court on Monday. BCCI bosses are wary of the fact that if the court gives a ruling in Deccan's favour, IPL may become a 10-team affair in the sixth edition.
The Chargers owners had slapped a notice on the board early on Saturday claiming that they had not committed any breach of the contract which had resulted in the termination. It was later learnt that Yes Bank Ltd. had cleared the Chargers players' salary dues worth Rs 36 crore on behalf of the banks who have loaned money to the beleaguered team.
Meanwhile, when asked to give a reason for the low base price of the new team in the proposed tender, a senior board official said: "In 2010, when IPL had two new teams, the base price was high because the profit-sharing ratio was high in favour of the two new IPL teams (80:20). But incase of the new team, the profit sharing ratio will be 60:40."
Another official explained: "Bringing down the base price is okay. Base prices are calculated on the basis of market valuation. It's like the price of shares which keep going up and coming down."
On the decision to go in with just one new team and not two as earlier speculated, a BCCI official said: "Firstly, if two new teams come in, there are no players to buy because all top players are contracted with the existing teams. The Deccan Chargers players will be available for one year, so if one franchise is inducted, these players can play for the new franchise in 2013. Fresh player auctions are anyway scheduled for 2014. So, another team can always be added then."
He added: "There are too many pending litigations. The latest involves the Deccan Chargers. Then, the arbitration process in the sacked Kochi franchise case is on. Floating a tender for two new franchises right now is highly likely."
He pointed out that Hyderabad could be included in the list of cities when bidding happens in 2014.
Meanwhile, sources said Ahmedabad is leading the race for buying the new team as its bid will be backed by its state chief minister and Gujarat Cricket Association president Narendra Modi. The Gautam Adani-led company Adani Group is learnt to have renewed its interest in the IPL. Also in serious contention will be the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) and the Videocon Group.
It's also learnt that the Jaypee Group has shown interest in a team from Greater Noida.
A market expert added that BCCI's decision to float tender for a new team also stems from the pressure piled on by the broadcasters. "The biggest worry is the pressure from the broadcasters who may have already started selling inventory for the IPL 2013 season. That has to be justified and the only way to do it is by bringing IPL back to at least nine teams," the expert said.
ICC rankings for Tests, ODIs and Twenty20
http://www.espncricinfo.com/rankings/content/page/211271.html
http://www.espncricinfo.com/rankings/content/page/211271.html