Kotla Test heading for a Draw, Clarke hits Century

The third test match between India and Australia at Feorz Shah Kotla, is heading for a draw, thanks to poor fielding by Indian players and a dead pitch prepared by the curators. After the humiliating loss in Mohali, Australia were on a back foot, while Indians were ready to go for a kill. But it is really surprising that the curator prepared a wicket, which offered no help the bowlers. The skipper, coach and other BCCI officials looked clueless at the end of fourth day. Kotla wicket was not a wicket where any team could win, it was a wicket for draw test match.

Australia fought back strongly and could be stopped just 36-run short of India's first innings total of 613/7. Michael Clarke, riding on three drop catches, went on to score his 8th test century. He made 112. Cameron White made 44, while Watson scored 36. Australia bowled out for 577. For India, Sehwag claimed 5 wickets for the first time in a test match. Kotla boy Kumble managed to pick up three lower order wickets. Amit Mishra bagged two wickets. India badly missed Harbhajan Singh in Kotla.

India was off to a bad start, as Sehwag yet again became the victim of Brett Lee. He scored just 16. Night Watchman Ishant Sharma did not last long and was out for 1. At stumps, India were 43/2. Gautam Gambhir was batting on 21, while Dravid remained unbeaten on 5. Only a miracle can produce a result in this test match. In all probability, the test match is heading for a tame draw.