By IANS,
Melbourne : India lost dashing opener Virender Sehwag early while chasing a target of 292, and were 24 for one in the second innings at lunch on the fourth day of the first cricket Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) here Thursday.
Gautam Gambhir was batting on six and Rahul Dravid five as India went into lunch break trailing by 268 runs. Australia were bowled out for 240 runs in the second innings after resuming at overnight 178/8.
Australia then made a crucial early breakthrough by removing the dangerous Sehwag in the opening minutes of the India’s second innings.
Sehwag was sharply caught at gully by Michael Hussey off Ben Hilfenhaus for seven runs after just 25 minutes and India on 17.
Earlier in the day, a crucial last-wicket stand of 43 runs between James Pattinson (37 not out) and Hilfenhaus (14) took Australia to a comfortable 240 runs for an overall lead of 291 runs. Australia made 333 in the first innings and bowled out India for 282.