Hanuma Vihari’s knock at the SCG may not reflect volumes on the scorecard, but his innings could be as special as it gets. What resilience and fortitude! To expect a man, who has had a relatively poor series and was on the verge of getting dropped, to save the match from the jaws of a certain defeat is beyond heroic. I hope that his efforts are not shrouded into obscurity. The fifth-wicket partnership quite literally, broke the back of the Australian offensive.
Ravi Ashwin has been an endearing rediscovery for the Indian team, playing an innings of vitality along with the likes of Vihari. Ashwin perhaps played Lyon, the lone spinner in the Australian ranks, better than proper batsmen. My favourite moment would have to be when he chirped back to Paine, the Baggy Green Cap skipper, that if he (Paine) were to have a series in India- it would probably sound the death knell for his career.
With the series levelled, all eyes would now be on the twenty-two men who walk between the yards in the fourth test. If India manages to breach the Gabba’s fort- it would be nothing short of a historic series win. With India losing out on marquee players on several fronts, and the Australians all charged up to snatch a home series win, it would be an interesting watch nonetheless. Who says a test match is a bore? Let’s hope we get through, fingers crossed!