India stretched out their lead in the second innings and set Australia an imposing 413 to win on Friday evening, with two days of the match still to run so time should not be an issue, more whether Australia’s team of rookie champions can cope with the task facing them.
Australia's task wasn't made any easier when they lost debutant Chris Rogers, caught behind for 15 off left-armer Irfan Pathan, who was extracting prodigious away swing from the left-handers.
A clutch of key players who contributed to their 16-match winning streak are now missing such as the retired Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Justin Langer and Damien Martyn as well as the injured Matthew Hayden so the new crop will have to take up the challenge. An amazing victory would mean they beat Steve Waugh’s team’s achievement from 1999 to 2001.
Indian batsman VVS Laxman, so often the fly in Australia’s ointment, made 79 to steer India to 294 in their second innings, benefiting from vital partnerships with Mahendra Singh Dhoni (stand of 75) and number ten batsman Rudra Pratap Singh (stand of 51).
The ever-reliable Stuart Clark was the pick of the Australian bowlers with 4-61, while Brett Lee claimed 3-54. India are 2-0 down in the four-match series and are now seeking to emulate the drawn series of 2003-04.
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