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Australia floored by Gambhir
Opening batsman helps himself to second century in a row
By Graeme Mair Last updated: 30th October 2008 
Gambhir celebrates his century
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Gautam Gambhir batted throughout the first day to put India in control of the third Test against Australia.
The opening batsman shared century stands with Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman as the hosts piled up 296-3.
Gambhir finished with 149 not out, his second hundred in a row having made 104 in the second innings of the second Test.
India lead the four-match series 1-0 and can clinch the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with victory at Delhi's Feroz Shah Kotla, a venue they have not lost a Test at since 1987.
Australia welcomed back fit-again seamer Stuart Clark at Peter Siddle's expense in the only change to the starting XI that lost the second Test by 320 runs.
Kumble fit
Anil Kumble returned to lead India after missing the Mohali win due to a shoulder injury and made an immediate impact by calling correctly at the toss and opting to bat first on a dry surface.
Kumble's fellow leg-spinner Amit Mishra - who took seven wickets on debut - retained his place at the expense of injured off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.
Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson both claimed a scalp with the new ball to reduce India to 27-2.
Lee trapped Virender Sehwag lbw for one in the third over of the innings and Johnson - who replaced Lee (1-70) after a fiery opening burst - struck in his first over when Dravid (11) edged a loose drive to first slip.
But Gambhir and Tendulkar saw India to lunch at 67-2 and then launched an afternoon counter-attack.
Leg-spinner Cameron White was belted for 27 runs in a four-over spell as both batsmen completed half-centuries.
Tendulkar falls
The third-wicket stand was worth 130 when Tendulkar edged behind for 68 off Johnson (2-69) just before the tea interval.
But any hopes of an Australian fight back were firmly erased by Gambhir and Laxman, who batted throughout the final session to compile an unbroken 139-run partnership.
Gambhir brought up his personal three figures in style, lifting medium pacer Shane Watson (0-41) over long-on for the first six of his 190-ball knock.
The left-hander also hit 20 fours on the way to reaching the close unbeaten on 149 - the best of his three Test centuries - and was well supported by the unobtrusive Laxman (54no).
Australia's growing frustration threatened to boil over late in the day when part-time spinner Simon Katich (0-17) became embroiled in a verbal joust with Gambhir, prompting umpire Billy Bowden to intervene. Gambhir had earlier upset Watson by nudging him with his elbow while completing a single.
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Comments (11)
Cameron D says...
First off chaps I'm an Ausie who is lucky enough to see all English cricket and Ausie cricket on cable TV here in Australia. I can tell you that George Glubb is delusional at best and typical of Ausie supporters that are now facing a less than perfect cricket future. The Australian cricket fan geniunely believes that Australia only evers wins and will continue winning due to our huge depth levels of talent. The truth is, the depth of talent is only knee deep and not waist deep as always thought. The loss in the last 12 -18 months of Warne, McGrath, Gilchrist, MacGill, Hodge, Langer, Symonds etc, highlight the gulf that exists between the "Great Australian Teams" and the current team. Australia are in for a tough time especially with mediocre players such as Clarke, Katich, Haddin, White, and Watson making up half the test team. Add to this the diminishing form of Hayden who'll most probably retire after the current Ausie summer, and you'll see that the field at the top of the ICC Standings is rapidly closing and by the beginning of the next Ashes series that Australia will be about 3rd.
Posted 02:10 30th October 2008
Jewel Of india says...
Jag, Well played! The other guys on the comments page do not know too much about Indian cricket and the current depth of talent the youth and state system is currently producing. If Indian cricket is managed properly, cricket lovers around the world are going to be bored of the Indians winning all the time just like the Austrailians have done for the past 10 years.
Posted 17:50 29th October 2008
Jag Dhuphar says...
Chris, yep Yuvraj Singh, Rohit Sharma, Suresh Reina, Robin Utthapa. yep definately depleted in a few years time.
Posted 16:42 29th October 2008
Al Preston says...
Good old George, typical Aussie. Rises to the bait every time. Obviously well known in cricketing circles with that bit of insider info. Get back to the amber nectar, mate and write something else to amuse us all.
Posted 16:25 29th October 2008
Chris Judge says...
Bobby Mehta, I would not be too disrespectful about England. The Indians are going down the same route. Tendulkar, Dravid, Ganguly are all near the end of their careers and soon India will be in decline like the Aussies are at the moment! England have young talent coming through like Samit Patel, Ian Bell, Alastair Cook.... India's batting line up will be depleted in a few years time.
Posted 15:39 29th October 2008
Bobby Mehta says...
I'm an Indian fan but I wouldn't disrespect the Australians. Of course losing so many big names and big performers (McGrath, Warne, Gilchrist) was going to impact them on the field, in addition they are without Symonds. Despite their current situation they are still an excellent team, certainly capable of beating England. England always seem to think they're great at everything but deliver very little...its fine having the arrogance if you can back it up with performances, but England rarely do. In football they still harp on about 1966 and in cricket its still about THAT Ashes series...get over it...the Aussies and the Indians will whip the England team. As far as the current series is concerned, I think India will hold on for a series win despite a strong Australian fightback in the fourth test...hopefully it'll be a humbling experience for some of their players who are widely considered to be rude, arrogant and poorly behaved...Katitch's behaviour was appalling...he's like an annoying little brat not getting his own way. Learning to lose gracefully is just as important as knowing how to win gracefully. Also, its about time the Indians started fulfilling their potential, with a country the size of theirs they should be cleaning the slate in terms of world cricket...need to kick out the egos and bring in keen, enthusiastic players who will fight to the death to represent and win for their country!
Posted 15:23 29th October 2008
Chris Judge says...
George Glubb, you are obviousley an Aussie who knows little about cricket (quite a few of these around these days). India are totally outplaying a poor ageing Australia team. Cameron White is a club standard spinner, Hayden is past it, Katich is already tried and tested and does not work. Medium pacers like Watson and Clarke will do nothing on flat pitches. With regards to Pietersen, he averages 50 in test cricket, so using the word over rated is a bit strong. He is a class batsman. i fancy England to win the Ashes next year unless Australia can pull a decent spinner and another batsman like Hussey or Ponting out of the bag, which they are capable of. You cannot knock Australia's record as a team, however the days of Australia's dominance are over as the Indians are showing at the moment.
Posted 15:05 29th October 2008
Rohan Toppin says...
Seems to me, that Mr Glubb has something personal against the England team and also seemingly has his blinkers on! I dare say that the loss of Warne, McGrath and Gilchrist, coupled with the poor run of form by Hayden has severely hampered Austrailia's chances in this series. Their batting seemingly now revolves around Ponting and Hussey and their bowling is lacking fire power as there is no real strike bowler - or one that can turn the match. I believe India will win this series 2-0 and quite convincingly too. Austrailia will need to regroup and the newer players will have to adapt and learn very quickly if Austrailia are to be the dominant side they have been for the past 13-15 years. With respect to the Ashes, all I will say...is that cricket is played on the field, not on internet websites, bars, pubs, or dressing rooms.
Posted 14:43 29th October 2008
George Glubb says...
Well Phillip Winter, I think you are talking absolute rubbish when you say the Ashes will be even slightly close. All teams go through bad patches and this is exactly what is happening to Australia now. They have far too much quality to let this form slump continue and I see them drawing this test and winning the fourth. Drawn series. As for England and the Ashes, well England only just beat NZ at home, lost to SA at home and stand absolutely no chance in the upcoming tests against India and Australia. Kevin Pietersen is overated and is disliked by almost all of the squad (heard directly from a England test cricketer). Not exactly what you want or need from your captain. They don't have a keeper even close to international standard and there is a lack depth in both batting and bowling departments. England will be whitewashed by both India and Australia.
Posted 14:14 29th October 2008
Al Preston says...
As an Englishman the last thing on my mind at the moment is the Ashes. The next major test is trying to beat this Indian team. THAT would be a real step forward. Yes, some of the batters are getting on a bit but there is real talent in this side and waiting to come in. Ishant, if he can stay fit is going to give plenty of batsmen nightmares. If he can do these tricks on flat sub-continent tracks just think what he will do at Trent Bridge & Headingley. No, lets not get sidetracked by what might happen next summer. IF we beat India this winter that will send out some real messages to the rest of the cricket world. I just can't wait for this contest!
Posted 14:12 29th October 2008
Phillip Winter says...
McGrath,Warne & Gilchrist gone and the new Australia in trouble. I can see the journalists rubbing their hands now. I think they're worried and the Ashes could be a lot closer than we all previously thought.
Posted 13:24 29th October 2008