Dhoni run out tips Test back towards England

Virat Kohli and Mahendra Singh Dhoni did their best to turn the fourth and final Test in Nagpur on its head on day three, but England's dramatic fightback in the last hour keeps them on track for a series win.

Kohli and Dhoni produced fighting, disciplined and skilful innings of 103 and 99 respectively to add 198 for India's fifth wicket, but Graeme Swann and Jimmy Anderson each made important strikes towards the end of a long, frustrating day, while Dhoni was run out by a brilliant direct hit by Alastair Cook in the penultimate over.

The action-packed end to a slow, attritional but still intriguing day's cricket reflected hugely on England's determination and collective strength of mind, with four late wickets leaving India on 297 for 8 at stumps.

India still trail by 33 runs, in reply to England's 330, but Cook's team will have to bat well in their second innings - whatever final total India post - to ensure they protect their current 2-1 series lead.
 
Dhoni became only the second Indian to be run out for 99 in Tests and it was a cruel moment for the Indian captain after
he had fought so hard throughout a day on which he started on 8. Cook's pick-up and throw from mid off was superb, however, and perhaps Dhoni should not have been risking a quick single anyway - despite his understandable desire to complete his hundred before the close.

His dismissal also exposed the Indian tailenders to the last over and a half of the day, and Swann seized the opportunity to bowl Piyush Chawla for 1 with a beauty that turned to hit the left-hander's off stump from around the wicket. Ravi Ashwin is now likely to run out of partners before he can do any great damage to England's attack.

India began the day on 87 for 4 and for two and a half sessions England could make no impression against Kohli and Dhoni. Kohli, on 71, was all but bowled by a magnifient ball from Monty Panesar that turned and shaved off stump as the batsman pushed forward, but that was one of the few deliveries that spun sharply on a slow, dry pitch that is not deteriorating as quickly as widely forecast.

Anderson and Tim Bresnan, who almost caught and bowled Dhoni on 72, also struggled to find the same amount of reverse swing as on day two, and it was a massive relief to Cook and his team when Kohli was beaten by one from off spinner Swann, operating from around the wicket, and lbw as the ball straightened enough.

Kohli had batted with great composure for 295 balls, and despite his dismissal India were still in a great position at 269 for 5. For a while, Ravindra Jadeja stayed with Dhoni as India eyed a significant first innings lead, but then Anderson curved one into Jadeja's pads from around the wicket to remove the left-handed debutant for 12 and it was 288 for 6.

It was Dhoni's exit, however, after India's captain had fought tigerishly through 246 balls, that tipped the day's honours just about towards England - but two tense days remain before this absorbing four-match series is done.
 

Date: 15/12/2012 11:33:00 by TheCricketer
In: Today | England |