India take Nagpur Test by 172 runs, clinch series 2-0

India have recorded a historic series win over the world champions as they beat Australia by 172 runs in the Nagpur Test to clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. They won a Test series 2-0 against Australia after 28 years.

After Ishant Sharma built early inroads in the Australian batting, Indian spinners triggered the collapse, as the visitors were bundled for runs in reply to India's 382 runs. Leg-spinner Amit Mishra picked 3 wickets while Harbhajan Singh took four wickets.

Mishra first struck with his top-spinner and dismissed Michael Hussey for 19 runs. Brad Haddin was his second victim. Haddin lofted one from Mishra but perished to Sachin Tendulkar at mid-on as his 100th Test catch. He soon dismissed Jason Krejza as the eighth wicket.

Harbhajan Singh, from the other end, tightened the noose and was rewarded with the wickets of Matthew Hayden and Shane Watson. Hayden, who struggled throughout the series for a big knock, finally fired and kept the hopes floating for Australia but Harbhajan caught him plumb for 77 runs. Watson (3) was next to depart. He went on his back-foot and tried to cut but was beaten by the bounce. The ball took an edge and Dhoni collected it safely.

Earlier, Ishant picked two crucial wickets to put India in command. Batsmen to depart were Simon Katich and Michael Clarke. In reply to India's 382 runs, Australia resumed batting with their overnight score of 13/0 on Monday. Katich and Hayden started of aggressively. Katich tried to pull a swinging delivery from Ishant, going outside the off-stump, but the bat took a top edge and India skipper MS Dhoni took a well-judged high catch to send the first man back for 16 runs.

Ponting, who came next, soon joined Katich in the dressing room as Mishra's charging from mid-off, collected the ball swiftly and dived to knock the stumps on the non-striker's end. Ponting could contribute just 8 runs.

Clarke, Ponting's deputy, had a dismissal similar to the first innings. He nudged a short-ball angling away from him and Dhoni happily took an easy catch behind the wicket. Clarke made 22 runs and 45 runs with Hayden for the third wicket.
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We're happy if we don't see Gambhir in Nagpur: Aus

Australian batsman michael hussey on Tuesday doffed his hat at in-form gautam Gambhir and had no hesitation in admitting that the visitors would be happy if the banned left-hander is not allowed to play the fourth and final Test match starting in Nagpur on Thursday.
Gambhir was handed a one Test ban for elbowing Shane Watson but the Indian opening batsman decided to appeal against the punishment.
According to International Cricket Council (ICC) regulations, Gambhir can play pending the hearing of his appeal by Justice Albie Sach but Hussey and his teammates are hoping that the left-hander would eventually miss the match.
"We're sort of hoping he'll miss the last Test but I think he'll still play pending his appeal," Hussey said.
"A process has been set in motion but if he is unable to play, it will certainly help us," he added.
Hussey likened Gambhir to Australia's retired opener Justin Langer and said the Delhi batsman hurt them most.
"He reminds me a lot of Justin Langer, small and punchy little character but knows his game very well, lets the ball come onto the bat, glides it through the offside well and works it off his pads. He's a very good player and probably someone who's exceeded our expectations about how well he's played," Hussey said of Gambhir, who is the leading run scorer in the series so far.
Hussey, however, felt that Gambhir was itching to pick up a fight with any of the Australian players to get into a fighting mindset.
"He looks around for it (chat) to be honest. It hasn't been a plan of ours to go at him and talk or whatever. But he does go around the field looking to engage certain players and looking to get involved and that sort of thing," Hussey said.
"So maybe that is part of his character, looking for a clash to try to pump himself up a bit more. He's always looking to engage, not so much 'good day how are you going', but an intense look and it's quite funny really," Hussey said.
The Australians, meanwhile, were upset after they could not train in the ground where the Test match will be played and Hussey did not hide his disappointment.
"I am someone who likes to get into the ground as early as possible, get gear set-up and all that sort of stuff, go out in the middle and have a look around because there are lots of distractions, every ground is different, so it's nice to become accustomed with those before you head out to play," he said.

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