11-Oct-2008 87
Tailenders Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan launched a stunning late-order fightback to deny Australia a chance of forcing India to follow on in a Test match in India.
Responding to Australia`s first innings total of 430 the hosts were gasping at a precarious 232 for seven before Harbhajan (54) and Zaheer (batting 35) saved them the blushes with a dramatic counter attack to take the score to a much healthier 313 for eight at the close of third day of the first of a four-match Test series at Bangalore today.
It was Harbhajan`s fifth Test half century, which gave India a glimmer of hope to not only save the match but push for a victory. Harbhajan and Zaheer Khan put on a vital 80-run parnership for the eighth wicket to narrow down the lead and frustrate the Australians who seemed to be firmly in control of the proceedings at one stage.
The Indians are still trailing by 117 runs and their immediate task would be to reduce the margin as much as possible since they have to bat last on a track which was expected to deteriorate.
With two days left, the Test appears to be heading for a thrilling finish with both teams fancing their chances.
Rahul Dravid (51) and Sourav Ganguly (47), playing in his last Test series, came up with stubborn contributions after Mitchell Johnson had ripped through the top order in a hostile morning spell by accounting for Virender Sehwag (45), Sachin Tendulkar (13) and VVS laxman (0).
