DAY 5, CHENNAI TEST MATCH

A really very sad day for all the Aussie fans. The Aussies after their 16 match winning streak, whitewashing New Zealand, Pakistan, India and the West Indies at home and winning the first test in Bombay, lost the series 2-1. So much depended on Steve, but that number 47 jinxed him again. In both the innings, he was overnight on 43 and on both occasions was dismissed for 47!!

What was remarkable was the way the Aussies fought until the very end, after India, needing 155 for a win were cruising at 100/2. The never say die spirit  of the Aussies won them many hearts, but not the coveted series. It was indeed irony that having contributed so much to the team, both as a batsman and captain, Steve ended up  on the losing side and Ganguly, without ever lifting a finger, except to bite his fingernails when under pressure, won all that Steve very badly wanted to.

Steve looked absolutely shattered and the look on his face was heart rendering. The entire team looked devastated, but my heart went out to the brave man who lead from the front and achieved almost every pinnacle of the game, except a series win in India. It is highly improbable that Steve, now 36, would tour India after four years. Like Alan Border's dream of winning the Frank Worrel trophy was not fulfilled, so does Steve's dream of conquering India in India remain unfulfilled.

Another person I wished was on the winning side was Langer. There were a lot of gloves, helmets and other such gear of the Aussies left behind after India scored the winning runs. Lang came up and picked all the gear one by one, with a dead look in his clear blue eyes. He happened to look up once and we could pick out the agony in them.

Never have I felt so miserable at a  loss by the Aussies. Apart from the fact that I hate to see Steve losing, watching all the Aussies from close quarters for 5 days and then meeting them after the match at Taj, and watching their reactions has made me realize the emotions that go into a match. How I wish, this one time, things had been different for Steve and his men.