Well this is going to be a test of nerves for our batsmen. The big 4 have to eke out 4 sessions, or 8 hrs of play to save the match. On the face of it, it isn't asking for the moon, but a surrender by tea is easier, so they might opt for that instead.
Regardless of the result of this match, I ("Mr Negative" ) am ironically beginning to have a good feeling about this Indian team. Like I have said before, you take out Ponting and there is little to choose between India and Australia in this series so far.
India lost this match in that one session of the second day when India lost those 6 wickets for 16 runs, otherwise this test too would still be wide open. Also, Zaheer Khan's injury did not exaclty help India's cause.
Initially I had some apprehensions about Akash Chopra but not any more. He seems to be a very compact and organized player, and the kind of opener India needs. If he can face up so well to the Aussies, I feel he is destined to excel against other teams.
One good allrounder OR/AND a good wicket-keeper batsman and we will have a world beating side(minus Kumble i.e.).
Ponting surprised by Tendulkar’s no-show in crisis](http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/031228/323/ehxj4.html)
MELBOURNE, Australia (AFP) - Ricky Ponting says he was surprised that Sachin Tendulkar didn’t come out to bat in his regular number four position as India lost a couple of early second innings wickets late on the third day of the third cricket Test here.
Tendulkar, who has been having a torrid tour with four failures while his batting teammates have largely prospered, did not appear as expected when India lost their second wicket at 19 as they attempted to erase a 192-run innings deficit against Australia.
Instead captain Sourav Ganguly came into bat and was still there at stumps on six along with Rahul Dravid with India shaky at 27 for two and still 165 runs from forcing Australia to bat again in the Test.
Tendulkar has made scores of 0, 1, 37 and 0 so far in the series and Indian spinner Anil Kumble said it was Ganguly’s decision to come in ahead of his high-profile teammate.
But that wasn’t the feeling of Ponting, who dominated the third day with his Test-best score of 257 in Australia’s first innings 558.
“I was very surprised but he is under a lot of pressure at the moment and obviously they have a lot of thoughts and reasons why he didn’t come out at No.4,” Ponting said at his post-match conference.
“We’ve got to get him out sometime, but it would have been nice if we had him out there tonight, but it wasn’t to be, so we’ll have to wait until he comes out tomorrow and hopefully get him out cheaply.”
Ponting, who takes over as Australian captain when Steve Waugh steps down after next week’s Sydney Test, said it was a situation that would not happen in the Australian team.
“If they think that’s the right thing then that’s what they do,” he said.
"It probably wouldn’t happen in our side, I’m not saying if that’s the right or the wrong thing.
"It was a high-pressure situation there tonight and he (Tendulkar) has obviously been feeling a bit of pressure so it will tell tomorrow if it was the right decision.
“If he makes a lot of runs tomorrow then it will probably be the right decision, but if he doesn’t you can say anything you like about it.”
Kumble, who toiled away for 51 overs to take 6-176 in Australia’s innings, said India’s in-form middle order could still put the pressure back on Australia over the last two days of the Test.
But the obvious key will be Tendulkar, who has been a major disappointment so far in this series.
Kumble said the Test was “still open” pointing out Dravid, Ganguly and V.V.S. Laxman were in great touch.
“We are quite positive, it would have been nice to keep all 10 wickets intact, but we still have four batsmen and three of them have scored centuries on this tour,” Kumble said.
"One (Tendulkar) is yet to fire and I’m sure he is looking forward to that.
“If he can have a good start tomorrow, that’s the crucial part.”
Kumble had to do even more of the bowling work because paceman Zaheer Khan was well below full fitness after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury early in the Australian innings.
“It’s really a tough, tough time - we had a hard day yesterday and today,” Kumble said.
“We just have to come back. In these conditions you need to be patient … in the (Australian) top order, everyone averages close to 50, some of them are above 50.”
he cant take the pressure as i said b4, now he islooking 4 n e way out, n e way for some reason he will bat good tomorrow i think, but still he is scared and coannot habdle pressure!!!!
india have let this test match slip, mark my words - aussies 1 V india 1
Ponting is fuming because Aussies couldnot have the psychological advantage going into 4th day if they had tendulakr out. It was very good move and brave decision was ganguly.It didnt only denied Aussies the psycologicl advantage it also gave the message that "Captain is here to take the challenge head on."
We are going to have a great day of cricket today which has been the norm in this series.
COME ON PONTING!!!!!!!!! Wow what an effort by Ricky - back-to-back doube ton - marvellous - Aussies were well on their way for 600 runs had the wickets not be falling down - stupid Martyn and Kaitch!
when Steven came out - he received a heart-warming welcome from the MCG - he got hurt :( and that was the worst part - this is Waugh's farewell series - and he has been unlucky - firstly he got hit-wicket and now this :(
this is the second time this year David Shephard got one decision wrong - last one he had in Australia-West Indies series - other than that he has been an excellent umpire over the years.
I think Ganguly should have sent a night watchman in Kumble or Zaheer but instead he wents.
Anyways, Aus look to be in control, India needs another Laxman-Dravid performance to stay in the match, no offense to Ganguly and Tendulkar, but Dravid-Laxman can only stand up to the bowlers.
This Ponting may be a great batsman but is basically an arrogant arsehole as a human being. I cannot forget how he once shouted some racist expletives at Srinath when Srinath hurt his shoulder with a bouncer (as if Srinath had committed some crime by bowling a bouncer to him). I have noticed that aside from Steve Waugh and a few others, most Aussies have a culturally "superior" air about them when they play third world nations.
By the way, the Indian selectors have done it again.... by retaining Balaji for the triangular one day series... and ignoring Amit Bhandari/ Salvi etc. Balaji has done absolutely nothing of note in Australia.... well he may be good at mixing drinks for Ganguly.
Also, Zaheer Khan is out of rest of the test and one day series on account of injury.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by Some1: *
By the way, the Indian selectors have done it again.... by retaining Balaji for the triangular one day series... and ignoring Amit Bhandari/ Salvi etc. Balaji has done absolutely nothing of note in Australia.... well he may be good at mixing drinks for Ganguly.
Also, Zaheer Khan is out of rest of the test and one day series on account of injury.
[/QUOTE]
I agree here.balaji is good for nothing.But then Salvi and bhandaris are lousy too.We all know what they did when they were given chances in past. But still Bhandari could have been better then Balaji.
having said that I dont think Balaji will get to play any match.
Ganguly retired hurt after being hit on the helmet by Williams.
I guess Steve Waugh has returned the favor from yesterday.
I can’t understand all this hoo ha about Tendlya not coming out last evening. Of course that racist b*** Ponting would have loved it if Sachin came out and got out. But sorry mate, we play according to what our captain feels is good for the moment, not what YOU think.
And now, someone pls tell me if Ganguly is OK and will he come back to bat or not. I can’t bear it, it’s a spear through my heart. Tell me he’s all right..
YES Bahi Di. He is fine.he will come back to bat probably after laxman is gone.I wish that day never comes. 
^ Thanks chotu. I haven't been watching the match today, it's just too excruciating.:)
It was bad enough seeing our bowlers struggle yesterday, especially Zaheer who clearly is suffering.
oooopssssssssss!!! master blaster sent packing 
42.3 Williams to Tendulkar, OUT: pushing forward thin edge through to
the keeper and williams points him home *
So Tendulkar has gone, good that he scored 44. Not a duck.
SR Tendulkar c Gilchrist b Williams 44 (79b 5x4 0x6)
India should aim for a total of 550+ and bat out the whole day, and maybe bat into half a session tomorrow to save the match.
This would mean scoring another 420+ runs with 7 wickets remaining. Errr, I hope they can do it. Or maybe they should not worry about winning and just stand tall in front of the wickets.
[thumb=E]212209_4792025.JPG[/thumb]
and now Laxman gone 2
VVS Laxman c Hayden b MacGill 18 (50b 3x4 0x6)
Ganguly is back on crease