Panesar hauls 11 wickets, breaks Indian middle order
India were left limping on 117/7 by the havoc of Monty Panesar who took 5 wickets in the session completing his 10 wicket haul and then sank the Indian ship on the 4th day scalping his sixth wicket in the form of Zaheer to put England in commanding position.
When Harbhajan and Ojha wrapped up the England innings earlier than expected, it seemed that India will have a comeback chance in the game after Cook and Pieterson had thrashed the Indian bowlers with no mercy.
However, the same mistakes were not done by the English bowlers who wreaked havoc on the Indian Batsmen. Spearheaded by Monty Panesar, the English attack was too much for the hosts who at one point were 6 players down and still behind the England's lead of 87 runs.
Panesar first took the wicket of dangerous Sehwag who got beaten by the spin giving as easy catch to swann in the slips. Then, he dealt a big blow to Indian hopes when he took the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar, catching him surprised with a straight bowl on his pads.
Soon, he got into his usual mix and was a terror for the Indian batsmen. He then scalped Yuvraj and Dhoni to deplete the middle order to just Gautam Gambhir. Soon, he took the wicket of handy Ashwin to complete his 5 wickets in the innings.
On the 4th day, the spinners continued their devastating play and took the remaining three wickets in the morning session itself. Monty got one in the form of Zaheer completing his figures of 6/81 in the second innings over 5/129 in the first.
Indians were finally wrapped up for 142 with the last three wickets departing in the morning session itself. It was now just a matter of balls to for England to take the match in its swing.
Responding to a target of 54 runs, both openers settled quickly and started thrashing the Indian spinners who were already deflated by the dismal batting in second innings. Soon, the visitor marched their way to victory with no loss of wicket.
One wonders if he had played in the first match, India might have been blank faces at this point. He totally controlled the game today and would be the anchor man for the visitors on the fourth day when they look to avenge the first test loss. Graeme Swann, the other bright spot in England attack, took the crucial wickets of Pujara and Kohli.
India now are level in the test series 1-1.
When Harbhajan and Ojha wrapped up the England innings earlier than expected, it seemed that India will have a comeback chance in the game after Cook and Pieterson had thrashed the Indian bowlers with no mercy.
However, the same mistakes were not done by the English bowlers who wreaked havoc on the Indian Batsmen. Spearheaded by Monty Panesar, the English attack was too much for the hosts who at one point were 6 players down and still behind the England's lead of 87 runs.
Panesar first took the wicket of dangerous Sehwag who got beaten by the spin giving as easy catch to swann in the slips. Then, he dealt a big blow to Indian hopes when he took the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar, catching him surprised with a straight bowl on his pads.
Soon, he got into his usual mix and was a terror for the Indian batsmen. He then scalped Yuvraj and Dhoni to deplete the middle order to just Gautam Gambhir. Soon, he took the wicket of handy Ashwin to complete his 5 wickets in the innings.
On the 4th day, the spinners continued their devastating play and took the remaining three wickets in the morning session itself. Monty got one in the form of Zaheer completing his figures of 6/81 in the second innings over 5/129 in the first.
Indians were finally wrapped up for 142 with the last three wickets departing in the morning session itself. It was now just a matter of balls to for England to take the match in its swing.
Responding to a target of 54 runs, both openers settled quickly and started thrashing the Indian spinners who were already deflated by the dismal batting in second innings. Soon, the visitor marched their way to victory with no loss of wicket.
One wonders if he had played in the first match, India might have been blank faces at this point. He totally controlled the game today and would be the anchor man for the visitors on the fourth day when they look to avenge the first test loss. Graeme Swann, the other bright spot in England attack, took the crucial wickets of Pujara and Kohli.
India now are level in the test series 1-1.
Source...