This was published 17 years ago
Gambhir elbows Australia out of way
WITH a forearm to the muscular chest of Shane Watson, Gautam Gambhir picked a physical fight with Australia. And with a searing six launched over long-on, the Indian opener raised an audacious century that gave his country the initiative on the opening day of the pivotal third Test in Delhi.
Gambhir may be small and slender of build but there has been no meekness about his approach to the Australians. He has challenged them on every front, niggling constantly from the infield during the previous Test in Mohali and clashing with them on more than one occasion yesterday.
The confrontation turned physical when he brushed past Watson, who said something to express his displeasure, then lifted his arm and shoved it into the Queenslander's body as he completed a second run.
Watson gestured to the umpire and could be heard via the stump microphone imploring him to look at a replay of the incident. Much later, Simon Katich lost his temper with Gambhir and umpire Billy Bowden was forced to intervene. It remains to be seen whether either altercation will be reported to the match referee. In any case it is Gambhir's brash strokeplay that has presented the most danger to the tourists.
His unbeaten innings of 149 guided the home side to 3-296 at stumps.
The 27-year-old left-hander may not be popular with the Australians but he is the leading runscorer in the series. He shared a 130-run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar before accelerating to his second century in as many matches.
He paced himself superbly, providing a steady hand when the rejuvenated Australian pace attack struck twice in the morning session and solid support for Tendulkar as the little master turned back the clock to his glory years for a breathtaking 68.
Gambhir was as fast on his feet as he has been with his mouth, got on the front foot to drive Mitchell Johnson through the covers and pulled Watson over mid-wicket for four. It was the six with which he brought up his century, also off Watson's seam bowling, that defined the audacious nature of his innings.
Tendulkar's innings was equally breathtaking and wrested the early momentum away from Australia, who for the first time in the series won the battle of the new ball.
Brett Lee had regained pace and purpose, and the Bollywood smile returned, too, when he struck Virender Sehwag fast and straight on the pad to remove the dangerous opener for one in the third over. Johnson, Australia's best bowler on this tour, made an immediate impact by angling a ball across Rahul Dravid to coax a loose swish and an edge, which was caught low at first slip by Matthew Hayden.
Tendulkar came to the crease with Australia on top at 2-27, and for the first time in months entered a Test unburdened by the pressure of breaking Brian Lara's world record. Accordingly, he played with freedom.
Johnson deprived Tendulkar of his 40th Test century by finding the edge in the over before tea, a vital breakthrough. The Australian pacemen improved on their Mohali effort but Ricky Ponting had to improvise for spin with part-timers Simon Katich and Michael Clarke after Cameron White leaked 27 runs in a four-over onslaught.
INDIA V AUSTRALIA: THIRD TEST, DAY ONE
The toss:
At lunch: India 2-67 (Gambhir 25, Tendulkar 26)
At tea: India 3-158 (Gambhir 67, Laxman 1)
At stumps: India 3-296 (Gambhir 149, Laxman 54)
The pitch: Dry, brown an a hint of uneven bounce. Australian bowlers gained conventional swing with the new ball in overcast conditions.
The weather: Fears of a late start because of pollution worsened by Diwali fireworks did not eventuate, but still hot and humid.
The moment: A mid-pitch exchange between Shane Watson and the chatty Gautam Gambhir after the pair collided during the 51st over of the day. Gambhir stuck his arm into Watson's chest as he took a second run.
The number: 55 - number of wickets taken by Anil Kumble in six matches at this ground.
Tour guide: Australia's resident cook, Matthew Hayden, found time in the days leading up to the third Test to whip up a couple of dishes for a Hindi television channel's Diwali feast.
SCOREBOARD
THIRD TEST INDIA v AUSTRALIA
Stumps, day one
INDIA - 1st Innings
V SEHWAG lbw b Lee 1
R DRAVID c Hayden b Johnson 11
S TENDULKAR c Haddin b Johnson 68
V LAXMAN not out 54
Sundries (4b 5lb 4nb) 13
Three wickets for 296 5 27 157.
Fall:
Bowling: B Lee 19-1-70-1, S Clark 21-8-29-0 (1nb), M Johnson 17-1-69-2, S Watson 13-4-41-0 (3nb), C White 4-0-27-0, M Clarke 9-0-34-0, S Katich 6-1-17-0.
Batting time: 376 mins. Overs: 89.
Umpires: Aleem Dar (PAK) and Billy Bowden (NZL).
Match Referee: Chris Broad (ENG).
Third Umpire: Suresh Shastri (IND).