India tighten noose around Australia

Mohali, Oct 20 (IANS) India tightened the noose around Australia by setting a mammoth victory target of 516 runs before Harbhjan Singh struck twice to reduce the visitors to 50 for two at tea on the fourth day of the second cricket Test at Punjab Cricket Association stadium here Monday.

The off-spinner first trapped Matthew Hayden (29) leg before in the last over before tea and then got rid of Simon Katich (20) in the last ball when Sachin Tendulkar took a brilliant catch. Skipper Ricky Ponting was not out at the other end on one.

Earlier, India declared their second innings at 314 for three wickets in the post-lunch session with Gautam Gambhir (104) scoring his second Test century and Virender Sehwag falling just 10 short of what could have been his 16th Test century.

Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who promoted himself to first down to accelerate the scoring, scored a quick-fire unbeaten 68.

Resuming at the overnight score of 100 for no loss, openers Gambhir and Sehwag (90) scored briskly as India raced to 130 runs in the first session. Sehwag looked good for a century but carelessly edged Peter Siddle to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin to bring an end to the 182-run opening stand.

Gambhir's century came in 138 balls with seven boundaries and one six. It was Gambhir's second Test century and the first at home.

After reaching his century with a four, Gambhir gifted his wicket away when he tried to step down to a flighted delivery off Cameroon White but found Hussey at mid-off.

Sourav Ganguly then scored 27 runs before skying one to Michael Clarke off Brett Lee.