The contest is back and VVS Laxman showed the way on how it has to be done yet again. What a marvelous innings it was and India is interestingly poised for tomorrow’s play. The situation is still tight for India and if early wickets fall once again in the morning session, then it is the same old plight for India.

There has been a huge outcry on the pathetic show from the umpires in the series. However, decision not gone in favour apart, one has to also focus on the fact that the Indian bowlers conceded 166 runs to the Australian tail without any bad decisions and when you take that away from the final total, India should ideally have restricted them around 320. Now this makes a huge difference.

On the Indian innings, Jaffer once again failed. Luck certainly did not go his way with the umpire again erring with Brett Lee actually overstepping in that delivery. The ball was a peach though and Brett Lee bowled yet another fabulous spell. Lee has certainly come a long way from just being an all-out express fast bowler who would be knocked about the park to someone who finally understands the nuances of bowling. It is a pity that he has only realized it a bit late in his career otherwise he should have been destined to achieve a lot more than he currently has.

Talking of luck, Rahul had lots of them as he nicked away to the slips, keeper and there were butter fingers at times and no-balls bowled. Nevertheless, in his struggling form, he fought hard to try and get back to form and played a very crucial role in hanging around for a long time.

It was extremely nice to see Ponting admitting that the catch from Dravid was not taken cleanly. It brings questions on the difference between Michale Clarke and Ponting in many ways. It was good sportsmanship on the behalf of Ponting. Way to go!

VVS Laxman was ultra special with a brilliant hundred that set the tone for a possible fightback from India… Graceful as a swan, he took apart the Australian quicks and I must say after Jaffer’s double in the Pakistan series, this knock was really fabulous worth watching again and again. There is a lot of talk back in India to have the pitch conditions changed rather dramatically to aid in bounce but I daresay it is these sub-continental pitches that bring out a totally different style of playing cricket… one which is elegant and so graceful and I rather would not want to change that no matter what.

It was a pity that he got out so quickly when it looked like he was in for a really big double. The important aspect is the manner in which he played – attacked… and all of a sudden this pitch and the bowlers don’t look too daunting at all. It also has to be remembered that the ideal batting conditions were today and maybe the top half of tomorrow, before it deteriorates, therefore India has to cash in now.

I loved the way Hogg bowled to Ganguly… totally had him clueless on many occasions and nearly had him in. This partnership between Sachin and Ganguly is extremely critical tomorrow to make a contest of this match. These two apart from Laxman were the ones who seem to have shown some level of skill to play on these conditions. Yuvraj and Dhoni have been all at sea so far and therefore, much rests on Ganguly and Tendulkar. If Yuvi and Dhoni manage to join the party, a great game is in store for us.

Fingers crossed everyone!