Laxman strikes double ton; India declares at 613

India declared at a huge 613 for seven after VVS Laxman struck his second double century in the Day-2 of the third Test against Australia at Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi.

Elegant Laxman (200 not out) who batted through out the innings executed many sweetly timed strokes with 21 boundaries. In the total of 13 Test hundred, this was his 6th against Australia and the second best after his stunning 281 in Kolkata in March 2001.

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Both Laxman and Gautam Gambhir, who too reached to his maiden double hundred put up a great show with a 278-run stand and dismantled any Australian plan to come back into the game. Gambhir departed soon after stamping such a gutsy innings at the individual score of 206.

Though the Aussie bowlers took some reprieve, claiming three quick wickets: Gambhir, Sourav Ganguly (5) and Mahendra Singh Dhoni (27), the damage which has already been done to Australian bowling further pushed the lower order batsmen Anil Kumble (45) and Zaheer Khan (28 not out) to add on.

Brief Scores

India 1st innings: 613 for seven in 161 overs (Gautam Gambhir 206, VVS Laxman 200 not out, Sachin Tendulkar 68, Anil Kumble 45; Mitchell Johnson 3/142, Shane Watson 2/66, Brett Lee 1/119, Simon Katich 1/60).

Mitchell Johnson ended up as the most wicket taker with a figure of 3/142. Shane Watson too bagged two wickets giving away 66 runs.

In reply to India’s mammoth total, the Australian openers: Mathew Hayden (16*) and Simon Katich (29*) are at the crease till the stumps of Day-2.