adbrite

Your Ad Here Your Ad Here

Jackson fans' tribute at Apollo

Friday, October 17, 2008

Gambhir stars as India start strongly

Gautam Gambhir hammered an unbeaten half-century as India got off to a flying start in the second Test against Australia on Friday.

Gambhir and opening partner Virender Sehwag belted Australia's bowlers around the park before the tourists stemmed the run flow with the wicket of Sehwag (35) just after the first drinks break.

India went into lunch on 104 for one.

Gambhir was on 53 and Rahul Dravid 11 at the interval with both men looking well set on a flat pitch.

Sehwag and Gambhir added 70 runs for the first wicket before Sehwag, scoring at a near run-a-ball, fell to Mitchell Johnson.

The left-arm paceman tempted the batsman with a short delivery down the leg side and Sehwag fell for it, edging to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin.

Sehwag, who had hit consecutive boundaries in debutant paceman Peter Siddle's fourth over, stroked a total of six fours during his 36-delivery stay at the crease.

Gambhir had brought up his half-century with consecutive boundaries off Michael Clarke.

India's regular skipper Anil Kumble was ruled out of the match due to a shoulder injury and stand-in skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni decided to bat first. Amit Mishra was handed his first Test cap, replacing Kumble.

On the Australian side, Siddle came in for Stuart Clark, the paceman ruled out due to an elbow injury.

No comments: