Oz in trouble as Ganguly scores century but Dhoni misses by 8 runs

Mohali, Oct 18 (UNI) A well crafted 102 by Sourav Ganguly and his 109 run seventh wicket partnership with skipper MS Dhoni (92) propelled India to an imposing first innings total of 469 all out and in reply Australia were in trouble having lost opener Mathew Hayden without score as the visitors were 13 for 1 at tea on the second day of the second Test here today.

Chasing a huge total, Australia suffered a major setback in the very first over of their innings when Zaheer Khan pitched a good length delivery on the off stump and as Hayden failed to cover the line, the ball cliped the pad, and hit the off stump.

At tea Simon Katich was on 8 and Ricky ponting on 5.

Earlier, playing his 111th Test, Ganguly, who has already announced his retirement after this four Test series, scored his 16th century as he complied well made 102 runs before being dismissed.

He batted for 377 minutes, faced 225 balls and hit eight boundaries.

Stand in captain MS Dhoni however, was unlucky to have missed his century by eight runs. He was trapped leg before by debutante Peter Siddle He was the last batsman to be out.

Ganguly looked well set to continue after hitting his hundred but it was a rush of blood that led to his fall as he was caught in the deep by Lee off Cameron White.

Dhoni on the other hand, kept the scoreboard moving at a very fast pace as he hit four sixes and eight boundaries in his 124 ball 92.

In the morning, resuming at their overnight score of 311 for 5, India added 90 runs off 26 overs losing the wicket of Ishant Sharma in the first two hours of the day's play.

The Australians earned an early break though when they got rid of night watchman Ishant Sharma in the fifth over of the day when the score was 326.

Peter Siddle's short delivery outside the leg stump surprised Ishant who just managed to lob it straight to Katich at leg gully.

the lanky Indian made nine runs.

Dhoni joined Sourav and the two faced the bowlers with utmost ease. The former skipper was somewhat cautious and more focused in his approach punishing the loose deliveries while the Dhoni had no such qualms as he went after the bowlers sending them all over the park. Dhoni opened his account with a four off Brett Lee. As the bowler banged it in short of a length the Indian skipper pulled the ball with stunning power past square leg. Dhoni then hit a six, whacking Siddle just over the fine leg rope, with a beautiful hook and then he blasted Lee for two more boundaries in one over as the Australian bowlers looked clueless and hapless.

Just before the Lunch the Indians crossed the 400 mark and looked good for big score.

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