Story Titan Cup 1996: Reliving the exciting glory!

[SaiSrini]

India start off badly!

India start off badly; lose Tendulkar and Sidhu!

India 25/2 - 5 overs
S.Tendulkar 0(1)
N.S.Sidhu 21(13)

India have had a very hot 'n cold start as they have lost two of their openers with their total at only 25. However, the batting of Navjot Sidhu has kept the wheels of the Indian innings rolling with 13 runs off the first over with three consecutive fours. However, Sidhu was deceived by a slower full toss from Mc Grath that thudded into his thigh and was adjudged LBW for 21.

India had the worst possible start ever when Mc Grath removed Tendulkar off the first ball of the match with a brilliant of cutter. Tendulkar tried to flick the ball down the leg side but the ball took the outside edge off his bat and crashed into his stumps. Tendulkar left dejected and Australia had the first blood removing the Master blaster for 0 off the very first ball!

Dravid and Azharuddin are now batting for India in the middle!

 

[faraz haider]

good start from australia.

 

[SaiSrini]

India 81/3 - 15 overs

India 81/3 after 15 overs!

R.Dravid 29*
M.Azharrudin 21
A.Jadeja 4*

India are right now in a balanced position at 81/3 after 15 overs in the third ODI against Australia at Bangalore. Azharuddin was batting very well during his innings of 21. His shot selection was immaculate along with his running together with Rahul Dravid.

When Azhar was on 21, Hogg bowled a full toss leg break delivery which Azhar tried to sweep but missed the line of the ball to be rapped on his pads. The umpire had no hesitation whatsoever in adjudging Azhar LBW for 21.

Rahul Dravid as batted very well so far and is unbeaten on 29. His batting today has been more fluent than it has been ever since he made his debut few months ago in England. His timing is just perfect and he has showed some signs of being aggressive today with his powerful shots on the on side bisecting the fielders to the boundary ropes.

 

[Dhoni]

India don't need to worry about anything coz The Indian Wall is there. Good batting so far by Dravid and good story by Sai.

 

[faraz haider]

yes preet wall is there and he can make huge score .

 

[SaiSrini]

India 136/5 - 25 overs

India 136/5 after 25 overs!

R.Dravid 57* (61)
N.Mongia 14* (23)
P.Reiffel 2/24 (8)

Current RR: 5.44 | 25 overs remaining

Australia are right now back on top after a twin strike by Paul Reiffel to dismiss two of India's top batsmen within the space of two balls! First to go was Ajay Jadeja who nicked Paul Reiffel straight into the hands of Ian Healy who took a fairly easy catch behind the wicket. Next ball, Robin Singh defended Reiffel's leg cutter which came in Singh and hit his pads and umpire Billy Bowden upheld the appeal. Then in the most dramatic circumstances, Nayan Mongia survived the hat trick ball. Reiffel bowled the third ball which Mongia tried to defend but the ball took the edge of the bat and flew between second slip and gully for a four!

Video of Jadeja & Robin Singh's wicket​

Rahul Dravid reached his fifty in grand style, sweeping Hogg to the fence for a brilliant four! It has been a totally authoritative innings from Rahul Dravid which includes 7 hits to the fence. His timing today has been impeccable. He has milked singles as easily as drinking water and is motoring along at 57*. He is receiving fine support at the other end from India's frontline stumper, Nayan Mongia who is not out on 14*. But still Australia are on top considering that after Mongia, its the tail to follow.

 

[jazz]

good comeback by australia

 

[nightprowler10]

Not a bad effort for India, especially after losing Sidhu and Tendulkar early on.

 

[SaiSrini]

India set Australia a target of 263 to win from 49 overs!

Rahul Dravid 109 - Australia need 263 off 49 overs to win!

R.Dravid 109 (128)
S.Joshi 50 (68)
P.Reiffel 2/37 (9)

Australia's required Run Rate: 5.37

Rahul Dravid's smashing century has set up an exhalirating match at Bangalore between India and Australia. Dravid, who has scored a superb 109 has made sure that India will post a very challenging total for Australia to chase under the lights. Dravid, accompanied by Sunil Joshi who has scored a fine half century increased the tempo in the final overs with some lusty blows to take India past 250 and to 262/9 in their alloted 49 overs. At one stage after the 46th over, India were 4.9 runs per over and in danger of not touching 250 which would be ordinary on this pitch. But Dravid made sure nothing of that sort happened.

After Joshi reached his half century, Dravid set off for a suicidal run but after both moving half way down the pitch, Dravid immediately turned back to regain his crease when he should have kept on going. But fortunately for India, Healy dislodged the bails just before Dravid started running back to the striker's end and Joshi was adjudged run out for a fine 50. Dravid then in his attempt to score quick runs, holed out to the man at midwicket for a stunning 109. He was accorded a standing ovation by his home crowd. Srinath and Kumble then hit a few lusty blows before Srinath was out off the last ball of the innings in identical fashion to that of Dravid.

Among the Australian bowlers, Reiffel was the most economical going for 37 runs from his 9 overs picking up 2 wickets. Mc Grath, Reiffel, Hogg and Gillespie picked up 2 wickets and one was the run out of Joshi. The fielding of the Aussies today was unusually lacklustre. Their catching was terrible today with a dropped catch and two easy chances being missed.

Now, they have to chase 263 off 49 overs to remain unbeaten after the first round of this tournament! Certainly a very challenging ask for the Australians. This wicket is beginning to take increased spin and handling Kumble, Joshi and Tendulkar is certainly going to be tough on this wicket!

 

[vibs89]

Good Story Mate!!!