India 191, Aus 116/3 : Xclusive Pics of Day 1
SYDNEY: Skipper Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting rebuilt the Australian innings after early blows to guide their side to 116/3 at close of the opening day of the second Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. After India were bundled out for 191, Zaheer Khan rattled the hosts with his disciplined attack dismissing David Warner (8), Shaun Marsh (0) and Ed Cowan (16) in quick succession.
However, Ponting and Clarke rescued the side and didn’t allow the visitors any further success. Before the bails were taken off, Ponting was unbeaten at 44 while Clarke was three short of his half century. Earlier, Indian batsmen one again crumbled against the ferocious Aussies attack as the visitors were bundled out for a low 191 in their first innings. James Pattinson finished with 4/34 while Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle claimed three wickets each to reduce India to a low total.
Indian skipper MS Dhoni remained the top scorer for his side hitting an unbeaten 57. Electing to bat, all the Indian top-order batsmen struggled on the greenish pitch at the SCG, its 100th Test.Pattinson was again the enforcer as he hustled Gautam Gambhir (0), Virender Sehwag (30) and VVS Laxman (2) into submission while his Victorian fellow fast bowler Peter Siddle accounted for Rahul Dravid (5) as the visitors took lunch at 72 for four in 26 overs. Sachin Tendulkar alone looked in complete control and young Virat Kohli was pleasantly serene as the two looked to carry on the fight after lunch.
However, Siddle ended Kohli's challenge after lunch sending back the right-hander for 23, reducing India to 96/5. Tendulkar who looked in his fine touch failed to make it big at his favourite ground and went back after scoping 41, leaving his fans disappointed who were waiting for his elusive 100th ton. Dhoni carried the fight but he got little supports from the tail enders.
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