In what was one of the most anticipated & well contested games up & until day 4, the 1st test between Australia & India, reached a premature anti climax, making this India's 5th consecutive loss out of India. This test match stands testimony of India's battling weakness in foreign soil, irrespective of the opposition. After suffering a humiliating 4-0 defeat in the hands of World No.1 team England, a lot of was spoken and expected from a near injury free Indian team playing its full strength for the first time in 3 Foreign trips.
The first day of the Boxing day test was filled with anticipation in what promised to be a battle between 2 teams, who are in cusps in their own respective ways. You would have backed India to be the more settled side of the 2 teams. But, Australia with any given team in their own backyard would prove to be a tough nut to crack and this promising Australian side was no different. Dhoni and his men were looking to be well prepared for the task, but just flattered to deceive.
MSD's bad run of form with the toss continued, after which Australia decided to bat on a terrific cricketing wicket. The inform pair of Warner & Cowan took to the crease in their respective fashion. Expectations were galore to see Zaheer Khan, Ishant Sharma & new speedster Umesh Yadav respond to the quick Australian wickets. Yadav zipped the ball & got the wickets of men in form, Warner & Marsh with his impeccable controlled movement. One of the very few debutants, who had the temperament to deal with the excitement of a lively wicket. Ponting & Cowan rallied along with some fabulous shots from the former. It was almost like, he had made up his mind to score a century here. But that thought was cut short by Yadav, with Ponting fishing outside the off stump. 
Thoughts of the previous tour did emerge. Zaheer Khan finally warmed up & produced a burst a of wickets & also thanks to some poor umpiring decisions, Australia were floundering at 214/6. Though Haddin's poor form continued, the lower order showed much resolve lead by Peter Siddle, who added 119 runs for their last 4 wickets.
One of the few times that Dhoni missed a trick by delivering the knock out punch, a bit of conservative approach eventually costed him important runs. Australia were finally bundled out for 333. The Indian innings was much expected, for Sehwag's explosiveness & Sachin's 100th ton, more than the fight back. Gambhir's mixed run of form took a slump when he poked on outside off stump. Sehwag contuned to march on with his natural stroke play, but an err in his concentration, with a dual going on with a promising Pattinson, costed him his wicket. As in any part of the world, a thunderous round of cheer erupted when Sachin walked onto the ground. Dravid, at the other end, proved yet again, why he was 'The Wall', with his rick solid technique. Sachin & Dravid together were going at a steady pace, with some mind numbing display of shots. The ease at which Sachin was playing, his confidence & the urge to score runs reflected in the shots he played. The upper-slice has been an innovation that Sachin was worked out & executed so well. With 100 of the partnership coming up, towards the close of play, the world was sure that Sachin was on course for his 100th ton & it was advantage India. But the last over of the day by Siddle, mildly tilted to momentum in Australia's favor, with a peach of a delivery claiming Sachin through the bat-pad gap. Thw wait for the world continued. 
The next morning, the second ball of the day ,Dravid was consumed by a terrific delivery by the comeback man, Hilfenhaus. The famed Indian middle order dint have much to offer with Kohli, Laxman & Captain Dhoni failing to make a mark. From 212-2, India were bowled out for 282. Hilfenhaus, with a renewed action picked 5 wickets, ably supported by Siddle & Pattinson. Their lines were much better & fuller, making use of the old ball well. With a handy lead of 51, it was advantage Australia. 
The resumption of Australia did send ominous signs, but for the Indians. Yadav continued to impress with some good line & length bowling, along with good pace. For the first time in this game, the Indian quicks did look like they were upto the task. Australia's top order failing yet again to some class swing bowling were 27-4. Dhoni's press to deliver the knock out punch lacked a bit, which was taken advantage by 2 men who were on the wrong side of 30's & the selectors. Hussey & Ponting had a point to prove despite their illustrative careers. Ashwin bowled well in patches, but often erring with his short pitched deliveries. Though his wickets tally couldn't swell up much, he did unleash a variety of deliveries & made sure that he did not reveal much of his carom deliveries. That could mainly be due to the long period of this tour & he might still want it to be a little bit mysterious. He wasn't able to trouble Hussey or Ponting much. This 115 run partnership proved match winning, taking Australia to a much comfortable position to defend a decent score. Zaheer Khan then managed to stall their progress with ripping through the lower middle order, with Hussey stranded at the other end. With an overnight score of 179/8, this sizeable lead seemed gettable, provided the Indians finished the lower order cheaply.
Day 4 was tantalizingly poised with the match yielding a sure result, which could go wither way. Some gritty resistance from the low order along with hussey made sure, 40 more valuable runs were added, before eventually getting bowled out. The target of 292, though seemed achievable, Indians would have been disappointed for letting Australia take a mild advantage. But what unfolded in India's second innings was purely lack of application & patience, not to neglect some top class fast bowling by the Australian trio. After losing the openers, India's chance to consolidate became a bit more difficult. If you wanted to chase this score down, India would decide how to go about the chase depending upon only one person, Sehwag. Their defensive approach played into the hands of some quality Australian bowling. 
Majority of the top order Indian batsmen struggled with the pace trio, and most of them lost their timber. The fact that the batsmen were sliced, pointed out two things. Lack of foot movement by not getting to the pitch of the ball & some nagging bowling, costing the patience of Indian bats. Laxman's poor form at MCG continued. Yet another opportunity for Kohli went begging. There was not much resistance provided by the batsman, in what looked like a meek surrender. Full credit to the way the Australians responded to this situation. With a fairly inexperienced bowling attack, they did show a lot of fire & proved yet again why they invincibles atleast at home. Ponting scored 2 fifties & Hussey top scored in the 2nd innings. The bowlers were their match winners, though Lyon dint have much of a part to play. The concern for the aussies in their middle order batting with stars like Marsh, Haddin & Clarke not delivering when it was most needed. What might be disheartening for the huge Indian contingent, who turned in big numbers to witness history, is the way the second innings was contested. There was something unsure about the Indian batting. They walked into this test showcasing a famed batting line up & an inexperienced bowling attack. But it just proved to be the opposite, where the bowlers did exceedingly well & the batsmen just flattered to deceive
But having said all of the above, more than being a true cricket lover, the urge of the true Indian fan comes out of me now & then. Any day you'd back this Indian unit to make a strong comeback,(inspite of recalling the forgettable English summer). This coming new year, shall surely bring a lot of happiness & more than that, a truck of luck, atleast with the tosses. Lat time, the indians broke the new year in Australia, it was an emergence of a new Era, hope this new year in Australia, matches a similar impact. Wishing all the Indian players & the Indians around the world a very happy and a prosperous New year !
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