Kartik saves India pride
A 52 run ninth wicket partnership between Zaheer Khan and Murali Kartik has saved India from total embarrassment and steered the home side to an exciting victory in the seventh and final one dayer against Australia in Mumbai.
Chasing a meagre 193, The Indians were languishing at 6/64 and 8/143, before the late night heroics restored a little pride to a side pillared over the last three weeks by the world champions.
Winning the toss and batting, the Aussies were cruising at 2/117 in the 20th over, with another 300 plus score in the pipeline. That all changed when Murali Kartik was brought into the attack. The left arm off spinner speared his way to 6/27 off 10 overs, including the prized wicket of Andrew Symonds for a golden duck.
Kartik’s previous best in ODI’s was 3/36.
Ricky Ponting top scored with 57, with extras the next best contributor with 33, including 26 wides.
Under the Wankhede Stadium lights, India’s top order was once again terrorised by Mitchell Johnson (3/46), who collected Saurav Ganguly and Dinesh Karthik for ducks. Sachin Tendulkar looked in reasonable touch, until he was bowled by Lee for 21. India slumped to 4/49 when Yuvraj Singh was caught behind off Nathan Bracken.
The night appeared to bring extra swing and zip, with Bracken disposing of captain Mahendra Dhoni for 5. The fourth Indian batsman to be caught behind. Irfan Pathan also snicked one, but this time to Michael Clarke at second slip, off medium pacer James Hopes.
India looked doomed, needing 130 with four wickets in hand.
Robin Uthappa and Harbajhan Singh frustrated the Aussies, putting on 65. Uthappa appeared the key to victory, until he was trapped by Clarke for 47.
Harbajhan followed after for 19, and the storm for Australia appeared to be weathered.
Enter Murali Kartik. Again.
Kartik and Zaheer Khan raced to the target, knocking up the remaining 50 runs required in 62 balls.
Australia wins the series 4-2, however some questions will linger.
Michael Clarke’s experiment as opener resulted in another first ball duck, while the international future of Brad Hodge must be in grave danger, with the Victorian managing just 16, giving him a mere 59 runs for the series in six innings.
Despite today’s golden duck, Symonds was named players of the series.
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