The target for Australia near noon was clear. They needed 188 runs to win and a victory would ensure an unassailable 2-0 series lead and retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. On a psychological level, the win would be a massive morale boost after a season that began with a disappointing series loss to South Africa. If you think of it, the target wasn’t a massive one for Australia considering how they’ve applied themselves over the series. But then a rejuvenated India is a different ball game altogether. An India which desperately needs a win to stay in the series and keep the subsequent two Tests worth their money. But numbers say only four visiting teams have ever scored more than 188 runs in the fourth innings to win a Test in India.
An all-round and decisive show comprising all four bowlers – Ishant Sharma, R Ashwin, Umesh Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja – proved to be Australia’s undoing. But it was Ashwin who stood out amongst all with figures of 6/41. Virat Kohli never allowed Australia to settle down to the pace of one bowler or two with short spells for everyone involved. He also avoided the mistake from the first innings where Jadeja was sparsely used and yet came back with six wickets to his name.
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