Verdict

Michael Bevan came into this match out of form

Michael Bevan came into this match out of form

Unlike the Indian team of the '90s, this Indian team invariably manages to find the men for the moment, almost every time

Four years ago, almost to the day, my colleague, Anand Vasu, wrote a prescient article on this site

It's been 5920 days since this last happened: India had a Gavaskar turning out for them but not a Tendulkar

India's young pace bowlers stared down Australia's bullies after VVS Laxman's scintillating century had set the platform for victory.

India's young pace bowlers stared down Australia's bullies after VVS Laxman's scintillating century had set the platform for victory.

Australia's batsmen were in exhibition mood as Zimbabwe toiled in vain to bridge the huge gulf between the two sides

Australia's batsmen were in exhibition mood as Zimbabwe toiled in vain to bridge the huge gulf between the two sides

After a less-than-convincing performance in the VB Series opener against Australia, this was the perfect outing for the Indians - apart from a brief period towards the end of Zimbabwe's innings when Heath Streak and Sean Ervine turned it on, the

You know the sun is setting when the pyjamas come out

You know the sun is setting when the pyjamas come out

Already there is whiff of nostalgia in the air

Already there is whiff of nostalgia in the air

Steve Waugh departed the stage as he had graced it, shorn of frills and gimmicks, walking swiftly back with a few waves of the bat in honour of those who made it such a memorable occasion

Steve Waugh departed the stage as he had graced it, shorn of frills and gimmicks, walking swiftly back with a few waves of the bat in honour of those who made it such a memorable occasion

For Australia, a draw would be a creditable result, but it will feel like defeat to draw a series they were expected to dominate

For Australia, a draw would be a creditable result, but it will feel like defeat to draw a series they were expected to dominate

After the horror patch that he has been through, a sparkling century wouldn't be an appropriate signpost to better times

Australia have drawn level, but India can draw heart from their performance in Melbourne