Hyderabad, Mar 6: The shocking ease with which Australia collapsed on Day four was surprising. Ravindra Jadeja and R Ashwin were quick to seize on the batsmen's remarkable lack of will to fight as India completed a mammoth win -- by an innings and 135 runs -- with a day to spare.
The 9,495 faithfuls had not even settled into their seats here at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Tuesday when Ishant Sharma started the carnage. Australia started the day at 74/2, a further 192 runs behind India, and were all out for 131. There was no need for a second session of play.
India needed all of 122 minutes and 35 overs to roll over the visitors. Australia became the first team to lose by an innings after declaring in the first innings. It was a clear reflection of the cobwebs in the minds of Australia's batsmen and the stranglehold the Indian spinners have had over them in this four-match series, which India now lead 2-0. Ishant got Shane Watson to tickle a ball straying down leg straight into Dhoni's gloves, and it was free fall for the Australians from there on.
Michael Clarke survived some tense moments that involved an edge to the 'keeper off Ishant's bowling which was turned down by umpire Kumar Dharmasena. But the Aussie skipper didn't last long as Jadeja got him with a beauty that spun across the face of the bat and knocked down the off stump.
Jadeja ensured there would be no more fight from the rival camp when he struck for the second time in the span of five deliveries to get rid of opener Ed Cowan (44; 150b, 6x4), with Virender Sehwag at slip alert to an opportunity that popped up off Dhoni's pads.
Ashwin added five more to the 12 wickets he bagged in Chennai, but it was Jadeja who was all over the Aussies like a rash. His direct hit from covers got rid of Moises Henriques and it was all over bar the shouting for the Aussies. Ashwin sowed the seeds of doubt in Aussie minds with the wickets of David Warner and Phil Hughes, both bowled while attempting the sweep to deliveries bowled over the wicket.
The Australians' lack of experience in Indian conditions and their limitations were fully exposed by the Ashwin-Jadeja duo. Poor shot selection made it worse. Glenn Maxwell failed to pick Ashwin's carrom ball and Virat Kohli took a smart catch -- again off Dhoni's pads -- to dismiss Peter Siddle. Matthew Wade succumbed to Ashwin a delivery later as Dhoni became the most successful Indian captain two minutes into the delayed lunch break.
With 22 Test match victories, he has now eclipsed Sourav Ganguly's mark of 21 wins.
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