India slip at the edge of an advantage
Aus 250 (White 62, Ponting 52, Nehra 3-37) bt Ind (Tendulkar 40, Watson 3-29, Bollinger 3-38) by 24 runs
India had missed a huge opportunity of gaining World No.1 in ICC Cricket Rankings,leading the series 3-1.This time India won the toss and invited Aussies to bat first,restricted them to a gettable 250.India bowled and fielded impressively than before in this series,Australia's insufficiency of consistent players was also an advantage for Indians.Watson and Ponting added 64 runs for the second wicket after loosing Shaun Marsh very early for 5.Watson went back to the pavilion with one short of deserved a half-century.Ponting later continued his innings along side Camron White who gave a good support to his skipper.Ravinder Jadeja's excellent direct hit from outside the 30 yards circle ended Ponting on 52.Cameron White and Hussey added important runs to their score,but after loosing Hussey for 40 Aussies lost their way and ended up with 250 on cards.India were up to a quick start,then Sehwag fell for 30(19) and later India struggled to get a good partnership.India lost their way with regular loss of wickets,late fight from Harbhajan and Praveen once again gave hope but they fell quickly.India were packed for 226 in 46.4 overs,there by Australia leveled series 2-2 beating India by 24 runs.Watsons brilliant performance with both bat and ball gave him the man of the match title.
