Yuvraj Singh started with a majestic six over long-on and was timing the ball perfectly between gaps, but hit a loose ball from Symonds to deep mid-wicket abruptly end his innings. Tendulkar slowed down a bit with his niggling groin strain and approaching century.

He departed at 205 in the 40th over, and even with Dhoni at the crease, India failed to pick up momentum.

There was a sense of fear going into the break, given the flat wicket. However, in the end, it proved just out of the reach for the hosts.

Highlights

INDIA

• 20.5: Uthappa (30) goes, popping one from Stuart Clark to mid-off. Hopes races around to take a straightforward catch, but the opener has done his job

• 34.6: Yuvraj Singh pulls a short one from Symonds straight down Hayden’s throat at deep midwicket. Yuvraj was batting well and the Indian innings loses momentum

• 39.2: Tendulkar goes in the 90s again, coming down the track and chipping one towards Ponting at short mid-on, who takes a brilliant catch. The last 10 overs yield only 50 runs

Australia

• 0.3: Surprise choice with the new ball, Praveen Kumar scalps Gilchrist in his first over. He follows it up with Ponting’s wicket in his third. Australia in dire straits at 8 for 2 after 2.3

• 25.4: Michael Clarke falls early, but Symonds and Hayden put together a partnership that threatens to take the match away from India. Then Hayden’s run out for 55 and Symonds falls to Harbhajan in the same over

... contd.