Rahul Dravid and MS Dhoni were out before lunch and Australia cleaned up the tail for 171 soon after the break to complete the victory. It was the second Test in a row the tourists had been beaten without Australia needing to bat twice.
Despite a gritty batting performance by most of their inexperienced batsman, Virat Kohli, the last man to fall for 75, it was another shoddy batting display by the tourists. The One-Day International world champions have now lost seven straight away Tests after their 4-0 loss to England last year.
“In England and here we’ve not put enough runs on the board,” admitted captain Dhoni, whose troubles continued as he was banned for the final Test for slow over-rate of his bowlers during the Australia innings. This was India’s second over-rate offence in the last 12 months as Dhoni had been on notice after his team was found short in Barbados last year as well.
“There’s only one instance where we’ve scored over 350, and you want to give bowlers those amount of runs so they can look to get the opposition out. One or two bad innings can happen, but seven matches is a bit long.”
‘We still have a lot of work to do’
Australia captain Michael Clarke, on the other hand, was already looking for a repeat performance in the fourth Test and said the hosts would now go for a series whitewash.
“No such thing as a dead rubber for me,” he said. “We haven’t achieved much at this stage. We should be proud to beat the number two ranked Test team, but we’ve got a lot of work to do before we’ll be satisfied.”
Kohli fights a lone battle
Earlier, India resumed at 88 for four, needing another 120 to make Australia bat again, with Kohli and Dravid briefly reviving their hopes with a dogged 84-run stand for the fifth wicket.
However, the loss of Dravid (47) and Dhoni in quick succession before lunch had Australia closing in on victory. The end came quickly, with Ben Hilfenhaus’ (four for 54) incredible resurgence continuing when he claimed three wickets in four balls after lunch, before Peter Siddle had Kohli caught behind to seal the win.
Kohli, who also top-scored in India’s first-innings with 44 as the tourists were dismissed for 161, had been fighting his way towards his maiden Test century in his seventh Test, but received no support aside from Dravid.
Sourav Ganguly
“You can never be the best if you don’t win abroad. India haven’t just lost in England and Australia, they’ve been drubbed. We’ll definitely have to make big changes after this tour.”
MS Dhoni
“Phasing seniors out should be a careful decision given what they’ve done for the country and given the experience they have. But it’s a good option to see youngsters coming in.”
David Warner
“We’re an odd couple, but I know Cowan’s game. I know where his release shots are to get off strike during difficult periods. When he thinks I’m playing loose he comes down to me for a rain check.”
Michael Clarke
“Two-and-a-half-day Tests help for sure. The distance the Tests have gone gives us a few days off, so with a week to go before Adelaide, I’d imagine the fast-bowlers will be very fresh.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th, 2012.
COMMENTS (15)
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The poor Indians can control ICC through its cheap tactics but they have forgotten that team have to prove it on 'cricketing fields' also..: IPL has done the best of it.
"India won the world cup" A wonder last but nine days.
dissapointing performance by the Indian Team, ruined the whole series!
Bubble's bursting. Good luck to Australia for the last test , T20 and ODI's.
Indian team destroyed themselves they have the best batsmen on paper but nobody sees they are flat pitch batsmen. They cant even wink on lush green or bouncy surface. Tendulkar was disappointing every one wanted him to make Only hundred but He couldn't focus. Are they reallt the champs or we gave them the chance last march for nothing????
Indian's top batsmen have been brutally destroyed by Aussies.
Agneepath series turned out shame-path series
@zaid hamid... you are funny man.. :)
This is what has screwed Indian crickets team:
Over hype at home performance IPL too much glamor and money's involvement.A failing display against fast bowling by so called mighty indian batting Both india and pakistan should introduce genuine fast wickets in domestic cricket. Only then they will be able to face sheer pace and swing of the Aus, SA, and England teams.
After Australia...Its Pakistan time to defeat India...in Panipat..
bubble is burst....we should induce youth in the team...and must give fair chances to a couple of dropped players...like irfan..rohit..
A beautiful performance by the Australians, who have rolled back the years in this series. Hilfenhaus has defeated the demons which haunted him after the Ashes, and is now looking the part. Australia are on the up big time! Bowlers such as Pat Cummins, James Pattinson, Mitchell Starc, and batting prospects like David Warner ensure that Australia will be the team to beat in years to come.
As for the Indians, I'd regard this series as even worse than the tour to England. At least in some stages over there, they showed some fight, but this series is a pure embarrassment. Its all over for the seniors now. Laxman has looked a shadow of his former self in this series, and Dravid, although is trying to fight, he simply doesn't possess the natural hand-eye coordination to be a top player at this age, which has led to him getting bowled in 8 of his last 10 innings.
Major changes are required, Rohit Sharma must be given a chance in the next match, and if the team management is brave enough, they should also drop one of the openers, and start with Rahane. Indians now need to look to the future and give them time to at least get some innings in their belts in conditions like this. Pujara is out of the side to due to unknown reasons. Last I saw of him was in South Africa, and he looked solid there. Virat Kohli is the only shining beacon of hope for the Indians. His youth, determination, temperament, and skills are exactly what India need at this time. He is a future captain of team India. I hope for India's sake that they now, don't pressurize him about his place in the side. Its a safe bet that He will be India's top scorer in all three formats, on this tour.
Over age Team!!