Laxman was not out in the first innings and batted confidently when he resumed at he loss of the first wicket. He scored a fine century in a lost cause in Australia against a similar attack. Steve Waugh and his two tail end partners wrenched the iniative away from India with two productive stands that took the score to a commanding 405. The Indian batting then folded against the more than useful Australian attack. With Tendulkar going for little, lbw to McGrath there is precious little left for Indian fans to dream about.
Defeat looks like being inevitable and massive.
On the opening day Australia made a bold start before losing Slater at 103. This was 214 off less than 60 overs and Autralia were looking at a large total. It was off spinner singh who rocked the Aussie mid order with a hat trick sendong the tourist reeling to 252-7. It will be a serious test of Waugh's skill and gillespie's obduracy if this innings is to persist for long. Steve Waugh finally came down to earth in Calcutta to national rejoicing throughout India.