Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2008/09

India v Australia 3rd Test At Delhi - Drawn

New Delhi: The adage that cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties took on a novel hue on Sunday when Anil Kumble announced his retirement midway through the final day's play in the third Test. The suddenness of it took everyone by surprise before it finally dawned that this was indeed the last day of his glittering cricket career, the news created a buzz around Kotla and cricket became secondary. At it is, with the India-Australia Test meandering towards a draw; there wasn't much interest left in it.

Having called it quits, Kumble decided to make this final appearance in the white flannels and declared the Indian second innings at 208 for five about an hour after tea. He took the new ball and bowled the first over to resounding cheer from the crowd, and three more, before the teams decided to end the Test about half an hour before scheduled close. Australia were 31 without loss at close, having been set an improbable victory target of 244 in 15 overs.

The teams now go to Nagpur for the final Test beginning Thursday November 06 with India leading the series 1-0

Highlights of the day

India have drawn 32 out of their 94 Tests since January 2000 - the percentage of 34.04 is the highest among all teams. Australia, on the other hand, have drawn just 15 of their 97 matches in the same period. Their percentage of 15.46 is lower than all teams except Bangladesh.

This was the first draw in Delhi in 22 years. The last draw here also involved Australia, in 1986. Since then, eight consecutive Tests had all produced decisive results, with India winning seven. Overall, the Feroz Shah Kotla ground has hosted 14 draws and 16 outright results.

VVS Laxman's average of 56.21 against Australia is the fourth-highest among players who have scored 2000 or more runs against them. His average against Australia before the start of this Test was 49.39.

Anil Kumble finished with 58 wickets at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium, the most he's taken at any ground. The SCG, where he's taken 20 wickets in 3 Tests, tops his list of wickets taken at overseas venues.

Man of the Match It required a special effort to take away the MOM award from double centurion Gautam Gambhir and it was a very very special player who managed to do that. In the first innings, VVS Laxman stroked a classy double hundred, sharing a 278-run stand with Gambhir for the forth wicket to ensure India had enough runs on the board to put pressure on Aussie. He followed his unbeaten 200 with another unconquered 59-run knock that calmed India's nerves.

Session Reports
1st Session - Runs 56, Wkt 1, Ov 27
2nd Session - Runs 94, Wkt 1, Ov 29
3rd Session - Runs 46, Wkt 0, Ov 16.3

Brief Score: India 613 for 7 dec (Gambhir 206, Laxman 200*) and 208 for 5 dec (Laxman 59*) drew with Australia 577 (Clarke 112, Ponting 87, Hayden 83) and 31 for 0, Full Scorecard.