Laxman ended the day at 275 not out, scoring more than what the entire
Indian team did in their first innings. Dravid made 155 not out. We had lots of
wickets left, had 337 runs more than Australia and only one day left in the
match.
'I can finally sleep in peace. I'll buy the draw dinners,' Ish said as we downed
the shutters of the shop.
'Hope we have some kids back in the park again,' I said.
Day 5
Human expectations have no limit. While we were praying only for a draw two
days ago, the start of the fifth day raised new hopes. Laxman left at 281 and
everyone in the stadium stood up to applaud for his eleven-hour innings.
The Indian captain Ganguly made a surprise decision. After an hour's play for
the day, he declared the Indian innings at 657/7. It meant Australia would have
to come back and bat. And that they had to make 384 runs in the rest of the day
to win the match.
'Is Ganguly mad? It's too risky. We should have continued to play. Get the
draw done and over with,' I said.
'Maybe he has something else in mind,' Ish said.
'What?' Omi scratched his head.
I wasn't sure of Ganguly's intentions either. Ok, so we lucked out and made a
big total to take the game to a draw. But why did the captain declare when he
could have played on until there was no time left? Unless, of course, he wanted a
decision. That was, an Indian victory.
'He can't be serious. We had a follow-on. We could have had an innings defeat.
Now, Ganguly really thinks he has a chance to bowl these Australians out?' I
said.
Ish nodded as the Australian batsman reverted to the crease. Ganguly had
kept the winning score of 384 required by the Australians at a tantalising level -
difficult yet possible. Australians could have played safe and taken the game to a
draw, but that is not how Australians play.
'Hey Mr Mathematician, has it happened? Has it ever happened that the side
facing a follow-on actually won the match?' Ish said. He signalled Omi to start
urgent, special prayers.
I pulled out the cricket data book from the top shelf. We hardly sold any of
these, but the publisher insisted we keep a few copies 'Ok, so it has happened
earlier,' I said after a ten-minute search.
'How many times?' Ish said, eyes glued to screen.
'Twice,' I said and noticed Omi close his eyes and chant silently.
'See, it happens. Twice in how long?' Ish said.
'Twice in the last hundred and ten years.'
Ish turned to me. 'Only twice?'
'Once in 1894 and then in 1981,' I read out loud from the page. 'Both times,
England won against, guess who, Australia. Sorry buddy, but statistically
speaking, this match is so over.'
Ish nodded.
'Like the probability is so low that I'd say if India wins, I will sponsor the Goa
trip,' I joked.
'Or like if India wins, you will start believing in God?' Omi played along.
'Yep,' I said.
avery
(avery)
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