Gautam Gambhir's 92 at the top and some smart batting by captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni at the finish helped India chase down a 270-run target against Australia in Adelaide on Sunday for their second win in the triangular series.
The visitors, needing 13 runs in the last over, reached the mark with four wickets in hand and two balls to spare, aided by a huge straight six by Dhoni who remained unbeaten on 44 to see India through.
Clint McKay, the most successful bowler for Australia on Sunday with three for 53, made it easier for the Indians by bowling a no-ball in the last over.
Gambhir, who was rested against Sri Lanka in India's last match, was drafted in for Sachin Tendulkar on Sunday as part of India's rotation policy.
Left-handed Gambhir laid the foundation for India, stitching together two fifty-run stands with fellow opener Virender Sehwag (20) and later with Rohit Sharma (33) for the third wicket.
Suresh Raina (30-ball 38) and Dhoni then added 61 runs for the fifth wicket before Raina fell with India still needing 31 runs for victory.
Ravindra Jadeja also departed soon but Dhoni, known for his calm demeanour on the field, stayed till the end to ensure there were no further hiccups.
Earlier, solid half centuries from David Hussey (72) and debutant Peter Forrest (66) took Australia to 269 for eight after captain Michael Clarke opted to bat after winning the toss.
The hosts, who had won both their earlier matches in the tournament, lost openers Ricky Ponting and David Warner within the first 10 overs.
Clarke was also dismissed trying to boost the run rate after making a brisk 38, which reduced Australia to 81 for three wickets.
Forrest and Hussey then added 98 runs for the fourth wicket to lay a solid foundation and Australia looked set for a 300-plus score from there.
But India pulled things back with some tight bowling and quick wickets in the last 10 overs to restrict Australia to a smaller total.
All-rounder Daniel Christian's run out, one of the three in the innings, in the 48th over also robbed Australia of some vital momentum in the closing overs.
India play Sri Lanka at the same venue in the fifth match of the triangular series on Tuesday.
Showing posts with label Australian. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Australian. Show all posts
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
Success brings confidence, not pressure: Nadal
Novak Djokovic comes into the Australian Open final shouldering the expectations of defending champion and with a huge target on his back after winning back-to-back Grand Slam titles.
But Rafa Nadal would swap places with him in a heartbeat.
The Spaniard, who will face Djokovic in Sunday's Melbourne final, believes the world number one's stellar run in 2011 would bring him confidence, not added pressure.
"It's a fantastic situation to be in," Nadal told reporters on Saturday.
"It's really not a tough one.
"When you are coming with that confidence everything is a little bit easier."
Djokovic kicked off a career-defining year by winning the Australian Open and went on to win Wimbledon and the US Open while compiling a remarkable 70-6 record over the season.
Nadal knows perhaps better than anyone what kind of impact such a streak of success can have on a player's psyche.
The Spaniard came into last year's Melbourne Park tournament seeking the 'Rafa Slam' after winning the final three majors of 2010.
While he went out in the quarter-finals to David Ferrer, pressure had nothing to do with it, he says.
"I was a little bit unlucky here last year when I played for the grand slam," he added.
"I didn't feel extra pressure. That's true. I had an injury in the quarter-finals so I was out.
"I think for (Djokovic) it's an advantage, not a pressure, to be in that situation."
'BIG, BIG TEST'
Nadal, who arrived at his news conference an hour late after getting the time wrong, came into the year's first Grand Slam under an injury cloud with shoulder and knee problems but has looked stronger as the tournament has gone on.
Djokovic, meanwhile, has complained of allergy issues and his breathing looked laboured in recent games, particularly in the early stages of his five-set semi-final win over Britain's Andy Murray on Friday.
Nadal was sceptical there was anything wrong with the Serb.
"It's funny, I saw the match yesterday on TV ... and they show images from two hours, 50 (minutes) before and it seems like he was destroyed," he said.
"Two hours, 50 later he was in perfect condition. So it's difficult to imagine he has these problems."
Nadal holds the upper hand against Djokovic at 16 wins to the Serb's 13, but recent finals have gone the way of the world number one.
The Mallorcan acknowledged there would be no quarter asked or given on Sunday.
"He is the favourite after being number one in the world and after playing fantastic and beating me the last six times," added Nadal, who beat Roger Federer and Tomas Berdych in the previous two rounds.
"Now it's another big, big test. I don't know if I am ready enough to win the match tomorrow but I believe that I can do it and I am going to fight for it."
But Rafa Nadal would swap places with him in a heartbeat.
The Spaniard, who will face Djokovic in Sunday's Melbourne final, believes the world number one's stellar run in 2011 would bring him confidence, not added pressure.
"It's a fantastic situation to be in," Nadal told reporters on Saturday.
"It's really not a tough one.
"When you are coming with that confidence everything is a little bit easier."
Djokovic kicked off a career-defining year by winning the Australian Open and went on to win Wimbledon and the US Open while compiling a remarkable 70-6 record over the season.
Nadal knows perhaps better than anyone what kind of impact such a streak of success can have on a player's psyche.
The Spaniard came into last year's Melbourne Park tournament seeking the 'Rafa Slam' after winning the final three majors of 2010.
While he went out in the quarter-finals to David Ferrer, pressure had nothing to do with it, he says.
"I was a little bit unlucky here last year when I played for the grand slam," he added.
"I didn't feel extra pressure. That's true. I had an injury in the quarter-finals so I was out.
"I think for (Djokovic) it's an advantage, not a pressure, to be in that situation."
'BIG, BIG TEST'
Nadal, who arrived at his news conference an hour late after getting the time wrong, came into the year's first Grand Slam under an injury cloud with shoulder and knee problems but has looked stronger as the tournament has gone on.
Djokovic, meanwhile, has complained of allergy issues and his breathing looked laboured in recent games, particularly in the early stages of his five-set semi-final win over Britain's Andy Murray on Friday.
Nadal was sceptical there was anything wrong with the Serb.
"It's funny, I saw the match yesterday on TV ... and they show images from two hours, 50 (minutes) before and it seems like he was destroyed," he said.
"Two hours, 50 later he was in perfect condition. So it's difficult to imagine he has these problems."
Nadal holds the upper hand against Djokovic at 16 wins to the Serb's 13, but recent finals have gone the way of the world number one.
The Mallorcan acknowledged there would be no quarter asked or given on Sunday.
"He is the favourite after being number one in the world and after playing fantastic and beating me the last six times," added Nadal, who beat Roger Federer and Tomas Berdych in the previous two rounds.
"Now it's another big, big test. I don't know if I am ready enough to win the match tomorrow but I believe that I can do it and I am going to fight for it."
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