Before coming into this match all the focus centred around India's Famous Five.They were under pressure like never before and a failure would have meant the talk surrounding his farewells would have restarted.
Now as the first Test match ended in a tame draw, the Fab Four looked to have settled the debate for now, leaving only the fifth one = Indian skipper Anil Kumble to silence.But for now let's just look at the Famous Four. If anyone had any doubts about India's aeging middle-order, then this match to some extent should have helped settle them.
For it was the middle-order which played a part in both innings to help India retain some respectability in the Test match. if it was Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly in the first innings, the final day belonged to the other two.
Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman got together at a critical time for India on the final day at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium as Australia set India a challenging target of 299 in 83 possible overs. The 61-run fourth-wicket partnership between Tendulkar and Laxman not only ate up time but also showed that there were no demons in the pitch. But going for a win was never in the minds.
The pair played quietly kept the scoreboard moving. More than anything else the partnership came at a right time.
Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir no doubt held the key to India's chances in saving the Test match. But after Sehwag fell early on the final day, the re-assuring presence of the middle-order ensured there was nothing to panic.Much like Ganguly and Dravid, the Tendulkar-Laxman pairing too calmed the nerves during their stay. Gambhir and Sehwag may have failed but the middle-order have shown through this Test that they still have the fire to fight.
Australians tempted Laxman with well-thought out fields, having three fielders on the leg-side to pounce on his flicks. But through his knock on Monday, Laxman played well.He did not fall for the trap. Tendulkar at the other end appeared determined to play on till the last ball was played.
The final day stoppages due to bad light may have come in the way of Australia, but by then the experience of Tendulkar and Laxman had taken India to safety.Australia will look back at the final day's play as a missed opportunity, they declared fairly swiftly after just a half-an-hour play nd then gave themselves enougn time to have a crack at India.
The Aussie fast bowlers began well, but Ponting's lack of faith in first-choice Cameron White showed the bowling in poor light. Ponting seemed to have more faith in Michael Clarke for the better part of the day, till White induced an indiscretion from Tendulkar.
After much light fading, getting better and then becoming bad again, India batted out for a well-deserved draw with just six overs being bowled in the last hour. All the credit went to the Indian middle-order who battled the blues to overcome a stiff rival. Hopefully the talk around them will die down for now. But for Kumble the tough part has just started.
The Little Master Sachin Tendulkar is yet to break Lara's record with 14 runs short!!. Will he break the record in the next test??. Lets keep our fingers crossed...
