Indian magic tames Oz in Perth

The result was clear in the afternoon itself when the top-half of the hosts’ innings was dismantled but the official intimation came at 5.58 pm. India won by 72 runs to come back 1-2 in this series. The most-feared wicket remained a myth but this victory at the WACA is real and will be remembered as one of the best-ever Test victories. The world champions were stifled into submission and being alien to the feeling of being under pressure, the Australians cracked.

There was a little rebellion towards the end with an entertaining ninth-wicket partnership of 73 in 12.5 overs between Stuart Clark and Mitchell Johnson — the latter even reaching his half-century with two sixes and five fours. But the hosts, requiring 348 further today since the start of their 413 chase, were always placed like a candle in the wind. And it blew off in 86.5 overs, with 340 on board.

Ponting’s misery in judgment was compounded by the stifling length the Indians bowled at through the first session, though the stranglehold was lost for a while when RP Singh sent down a few ordinary deliveries and Irfan Pathan, who replaced him, failed to put a cap on it too.

After rapping him on the pads on few occasions, Ishant made a delivery stay in its line and kiss the edge of Ponting’s bat and Dravid at second slip was equally jubilant to accept the offering.

The skipper was first to be moved out of the way after scoring 45 — just before lunch — and though Hussey and Michael Clarke continued confidently in their pursuit, a set of lbw shockers from Asad Rauf and Billy Bowden from either end, dealt a death blow.

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