Where do you start, what can you say. Australia fought as hard as they ever have, but India had the match-winner on their side. Harbhajan Singh has announced himself to the cricketing world in style, 32 wickets in a three match series. Consecutive ten wicket hauls to turn Australia's procession into a disaster. But what a match, drama, tension and a run chase that could have gone either way, this is Test cricket at it's best.

Day 1 -

Australia went on the offensive against India's spinners, and the plan is paying off after the first day. Hayden and Langer (35) both tried to unsettle second Test hero Harbhajan Singh, as they peppered the boundary. Debutante keeper Sameer Dighe had a shocker letting off both Hayden and Mark Waugh early on. Waugh junior came in and added 150 for the third wicket in 40 overs with the inform Hayden.

Steve Waugh then joined the Queenslander to take the score past 300 in a day, putting India firmly on the back foot. They leg-spinner Sairaj Bahutule his debut, while slow left-armer Nilesh Kulkarni came into the side. Australia preferred Colin Miller's spin/medium pace varieties to seamer Michael Kasprowicz.

Day 2 - India again clawed their way back into competition with the Australian's. Hayden reached his maiden double-ton occupying nearly eight hours and 320 balls, smashing 15 fours and six sixes, the tourists crumbled. From 340 for three the last seven wickets fell for just 51, when Steve Waugh departed handled the ball. Their tormentor in Kolkata added five more scalps before Zakeer Khan induced Hayden to give a catch to Laxman and end the Australian's charge.

Singh ended with 7 for 133 and had again brought India into the game. The batsmen then followed up his good work, coming within 180 of the lead, only losing opener Ramesh to the not-dropped after all Shane Warne. The series could well go either way, Australia face their toughest test in many months, while India show increasing confidence. Another exciting climax is possible.

Day 3 - Das and Laxman began against a barrage of pace from McGrath and Gillespie. At 284-4, the game could have gone either way, as Sourav Ganguly departed to slash off McGrath. Then Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid took charge, putting on 169 either side of the afternoon session, setting the platform for a useful first innings lead. Australia's two spinners came off second best, as Colin Miller and Shane Warne were despatched by Sachin and Rahul. Australia again fought back, as Gillespie had both the Indian master-craftsmen caught behind within the space of six overs. Wickets tumbled as India slid from 453-5 to 477-9. At the close they have a handy but not unsurpassable lead of 89, both game and series are poised perfectly.

Richard Kendall