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Untitled Document
 India eyeing a sensational win at Perth
18th Jan 2008 18:01 IST
Agencies
India put themselves on course for a sensational victory in the third Test against Australia whose quest for a record 17th consecutive Test triumph seemed to be in jeopardy at the WACA in Perth today.
After taking a vital first innings lead of 118 runs, the Indians scored 294 in their second innings to leave the home side a target of 413 which only one Test team has ever achieved.
The Australians were gasping at 65/2 at close on the third day still needing 348 runs to overhaul the target. Captain Ricky Ponting (24) and Michael Hussey (5) were at the crease.
As many as 11 wickets fell on a dramatic third day's play which saw fortunes fluctuating from one team to the other. But two blows late in the day by Irfan Pathan tilted the scale in favour of the visitors.
The stylish VVS Laxman (79) was the top scorer for the Indians while Virender Sehwag (43) and night watchman Irfan Pathan (46) were the other notable performers. Rudra Pratap Singh (30) put on some vital runs down the order to help the tourists take the lead beyond the 400 mark.
Resuming at 52/1, the Indians lost four key wickets in the pre-lunch session but the in-from Laxman combined well with Mahendra Singh Dhoni (38) and the R P Singh to steer the team to a respectable total.
The Indians lost the first five wickets for 125 but the last five wickets put on 169 runs to compound the misery for the hosts.
Pathan, who was not included in the team for the first two Tests, again provided the breakthrough for the Indians as he had done in the first innings.
The left-arm seamer managed to get some swing to send back both the Australian openers Chris Rogers (15) and Phil Jaques (16) to put the hosts on the back foot.
India batted with resilience despite a middle order collapse, which saw them post 294 in their second essay. None did better for them then the old warhorse Laxman who made a splendid 79 from 156 balls and hit eight fours in 230 minutes of batting.
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