Ind vs Aus at SCG - Undone by Hoggy, Symmo and Umpiring

Those who religiously follow the great game of cricket, Ind-Aus series promises to be a great duel among the test playing nations. Atleast going by recent trends, this Indian team has in its stomach to fight the mighty Aussies in their backyard.

All these expectations took a severe soul-searching when Australia completed their demolition act in the Boxing Day Test at MCG. But, still as an Indian fan, I want India to go down fighting rather than meek submission at the hands of ruthless masters.

To make my dream atleast a possibility, all started well on the first two sessions for India. RP, Sharma and Bajji bowled dream spells and troubled all the batsmen. Uncharacteristically, the invincible seemed to be fallible at a moment.

Enter Brad Hogg at 134/6, a man little known for batting in tests. what a turnaround? He along with the brisk Symmo counter attacked the Indian attack to the cleaners and at the end of the day, it is the Aussies again having an upper hand in this match. Score 375/7 with Symmo still unbeaten with a century. But, this was not sensational as Symmo was clearly out twice but thanks to dubious umpiring decisions.

But, I dont lose hope. After all, this SCG track is a batting beauty and if India can bundle out the tailender strokeplayers (its a shame to call them just tailenders), who knows. I am expecting Rahul to show his class and when he plays well, India often does well.

Having said that, still Aussies are in the driver seat in the series and threatening to be masters for ever? Can India take today's honours? Can India make Australia to sweat? The answer will lie on India's self-belief rather than Aussie's display. Go India !!