It's the Indians versus the Aussies again. The World Cup defeats are history and with a depleted bowling attack Ricky Ponting will hope his batters are ready to chase down huge totals and his bowlers and fielders take every chance that comes their way.



November 12, 2003
India vs Australia
Eighth ODI

Virender Sehwag was leading a charmed life and it was quite impossible to keep track of the number of times he played and missed in his 53 ball effort.

But the tenth over of the Indian innings, bowled by Michael Kasprowicz, was the luckiest for Sehwag. The second ball was pitched just outside the off stump, Sehwag drove away from the body, and the resulting edge went straight to Matthew Hayden at first slip. Superb catcher though Hayden is, he grassed the simple chance.

The fifth ball of the over was full and outside the off stump. Sehwag played a full-blooded, extravagant drive, Damien Martyn, another very good catcher, got a hand to the ball, but it just did not stick. It would have been a stunner had he managed to hold on.

India were 49 for no loss at the end of the eventful over. Indian supporters must have thought, "Bach gaye!"

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