By IANS
Adelaide : Virender Sehwag scored his 13th century but that went in vain as India drew the final Test of the four-match series against Australia at the Adelaide Oval here Monday. Australia won the series 2-1 and retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Riding on Sehwag’s 151, India made 268 for seven in the second innings, following their 526 in the first innings. Australia scored 563 in the first innings.
After taking a lead of 231 runs in the final session of the fifth day, India captain Anil Kumble decided to settle for a draw in decision taken with Australian skipper Ricky Ponting. Sachin Tendulkar was adjudged the Man of the Match for his 153 in the first innings and Australian pace spearhead Brett Lee was named the Man of the Series for picking up 24 wickets in the four Tests.
Resuming at their overnight score of 45 for no loss, India scored at a brisk rate courtesy Sehwag’s century in a bid to set a challenging target for Australia on the final day. But the match had been heading for a draw right from the fourth day.
The only highlight of the Indians’ second innings was Sehwag’s knock, which lasted 236 balls, during which the Delhi dasher hit eleven fours and a couple of sixes.
Sehwag looked to have regained peak form and his invigorating century suppressed the failure of the other batting greats, some of whom are playing for the last time Down Under, in the second innings.
India added 97 runs in the morning session. Sehwag completed his 13th century before lunch and helped India take a 105-run lead after the first session’s play.
Rahul Dravid (11) had to retire hurt after being hit on the fingers by Lee’s short-pitched delivery. Dravid went on the back foot and defended but missed the line. The ball jammed his fingers against the bat handle, leaving him in a lot of pain. Dravid continued for a while but when the pain increased he returned to the dressing room. That paved the way for Tendulkar (13), who came out to loud applause.
But the little maestro failed to get a big innings and was run out by Mitchell Johnson. Tendulkar tapped one to the leg side and set off. Realising his mistake, he tried to turn back but Johnson’s throw was accurate and he was short of his ground.
None of this appeared to faze Sehwag in the slightest. He cover-drove Lee and then cut him uppishly past gully to reach his half-century from 78 balls. There was also a lovely drive behind point, and a glance for four as the lead started to grow.
Brad Hogg’s introduction only accelerated the progress. After taking him over long-on for a massive six, Sehwag played two superb cover-drives, before a single to mid-on off Johnson got him to three figures.
In the course of his knock, Sehwag hit Brad Hogg for a six and a four in three balls to enter the 70s. The left-arm spinner conceded 12 runs in that over.
Sourav Ganguly (18) and Sehwag saw the Indians through to lunch without further damage. But Ganguly failed to contribute much and was caught by Mike Hussey off Johnson after lunch. V.V.S. Laxman lasted 30 balls for his 12 runs and edged to Adam Gilchrist off Lee.
When the umpires called for the tea interval, India were at 210 for four, with Sehwag batting on 132 and Mahendra Singh Dhoni on five.
Dhoni fell soon after tea and was followed by Sehwag, whose glorious innings came to an end after he edged to Gilchrist off Andrew Symonds.