Australia sense victory, Indian camp ‘tense’

MOHALI - The Indian cricket team is going through “tense” moments even as the visiting Australian side said they are “sensing victory” in the first Test match at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium here Monday.

“Obviously, when four of your good batsmen are out, the mood is a little bit tense. But we are trying to keep a good frame of mind,” Indian pacer Ishant Sharma, who got three Australian wickets Monday, told reporters.

India, chasing a modest target of 216 runs, slumped to 55 for four at the end of the fourth days play.

Four of the top Indian batsmen, Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and Suresh Raina, are back in the pavilion even as India still have to score another 161 runs Tuesday for victory.

Sharma said middle-order batsman V.V.S Laxman, suffering from a sore back, would bat Tuesday. Sachin Tendulkar (10 batting) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni are the only other recognised batsmen left to chase the target.

“We will try our level best and hope that we can pull it off,” Sharma added.

But the Australians said they are determined to pull off a victory.

“Definitely, we can sense victory here. Tendulkars wicket tomorrow morning will be the key thing for us,” said Ben Hilfenhaus, who ran through the Indian top order Monday, claiming three of the four wickets to fall, told reporters.

Australia scored 428 runs in their first innings while India replied with 405 runs. The visiting team was bundled out for only 192 in the second innings Monday despite a solid start given by opener Shane Watson.