Photographs: BCCI
The Aussies suffered Monday morning blues and how!
Rediff.com takes a look at how the day unfolded for the Aussies in Mohali.
India clinched the Test series against a spirited Australia with their biggest-ever margin after recording a nerve-wracking six-wicket victory in the third cricket Test to take a 3-0 lead in the four-match series in Mohali on Monday.
Never in their 81-year-old Test history, have India won more than two matches against Australia in a single series.
After bowling out Australia for 223 in their second innings, India chased down the target of 133 with 15 balls remaining before close of play in a match which saw a nail-biting finish.
The hosts encountered some tense moments in their run chase before skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed three fours off Mitchell Clarke in a row to seal the match in India's favour much to the delight of the home crowd.
Dhawan named player of the match
Photographs: BCCI
In the process, India reclaimed the Border-Gavaskar trophy, which they relinquished after a 0-4 drubbing in Australia last year.
The victory was achieved on the back of some fine batting by debutant Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay, both of them scoring big centuries in India's first innings.
Dhawan smashed 187, his 100 coming off a mere 85 balls making him the quickest-ever debutant to reach the three-figure mark. He was named the player of the match for his efforts.
India will now push for a clean sweep when the fourth and final final Test starts in New Delhi from Friday.
Ojha gave India the breakthrough
Photographs: BCCI
Resuming the day on 75-3, Australia looked to bat with caution.
But Nathan Lyon, the night watchman, was on his way back as Pragyan Ojha gave India the breakthrough.
The Australians were looking to draw the Test
Photographs: BCCI
It looked clear the Australians were looking to draw the Test as they defended everything that came their way.
Captain Michael Clarke demoted himself in the batting order due to sore back, but he along with Phil Hughes negotiated the Indian spinners well early on.
Clarke struggled with a back injury
Photographs: BCCI
Michael Clarke looked to be struggling with the back injury but put out a brave fight.
But Ravindra Jadeja was his tormentor again.
This is the fifth time Jadeja took Clarke's wicket in the series.
Jadeja picked two wickets
Photographs: BCCI
Left-arm spinner Jadeja turned out to be India's star performer on the final day, claiming the wickets of Henriques (2) and Clarke (18).
Hughes made a patient 69
Photographs: BCCI
Ashwin snapped Phil Hughes to provide the vital break for the hosts.
Hughes was in awful form in his previous innings this series, but did his best and came up with a useful 69 this time before Ashwin trapped him leg before.
Siddle didn't last long
Photographs: BCCI
Peter Siddle tried to be positive but was finally done in by Ojha.
The wickets were equally shared by the spinners. Jadeja took 2-27, Ojha claimed 2-40 and Ashwin got 1-52, but, strangely, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who took 3-25 on Day 4 was not called in to bowl.
Tendulkar failed for a second time
Photographs: BCCI
When the final hour started, India required 45 runs from a minimum of 15 overs. They completed the chase losing the wickets of Murali Vijay (26), Cheteshwar Pujara (28), Virat Kohli (34) and Sachin Tendulkar (21).
Dhoni (18) and Ravindra Jadeja (8) were at the crease when the winning runs were scored.
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