Mohali: A fine bowling display by Indian bowlers early on the day and a late batting surge by skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni helped India beat Australia by six wickets with 15 balls remaining in the third Test of the four-match series, making it 3-0 at PCA Stadium, Mohali on Monday.
However, it was Shikhar Dhawan’s blitzkrieg in the first innings that set the winning tone for India after Australia had piled up 408 with a day being washed away because of rain.
Though India failed to capitalise on the fantastic opening stand between Dhawan and Murali Vijay and managed to take a meagre lead of 91 runs, the Indian bowlers led by some fiery spells from Bhuvneshwar Kumar on the fourth day and their spinners early on the final day, restricted Australia for 223, with just 133 to chase for a win.
But when it looked the hosts would ease past the target for a historic win, Australia fought back like champions and stretched the match to the last hour and it was three consecutive boundaries from Captain Cool Dhoni towards the end with just three overs remaining that sealed the result in India’s favour.
It was for the first time in 81-year-old Test history that India have won more than two matches against Australia in a single series.
Earlier, it was a defiant 65-minute last-wicket stand between Starc and Xavier Doherty, during which they scored 44 runs in 18.1 overs, which ensured that the Indians would have to fight for their win.
In the final hour of the match, 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.
Brief Scores: India 136 for 4 (Virat Kohli 34, Cheteshwar Pujara 28, Murali Vijay 26; Xavier Doherty 1-24, Nathan Lyon 1-27) and 499 all out beat Australia 408 all out and 223 all out by six wickets.
By Indian Sports News Network