Amid scenes of growing tension and excitement, India, chasing a victory target of 348 runs in 87 overs, were all set to score 347 on the penultimate ball of the five-day match. The only other tie in cricket history occurred 26 years ago. This was when Richie Benaud’s Australia were tied with Frank Worrell’s West Indies in the dramatic first Test at Brisbane in December 1960.

When Australia declared their second innings this morning at 170 for five, it was a fair decision from skipper Allan Border who, in his wildest dreams, would not have imagined the match ending at take your breath away. And in the end, it was Kapil Dev’s India who narrowly missed out on greater glory by a single run. An Indian victory was very likely until the penultimate over when they needed just seven runs from 12 balls with two wickets in hand.

However, that was not to be the case as left-arm spinner Ray Bright dismissed Shivlal Yadav and then spinner Greg Mathews trapped last man Maninder Singh leg-before in the fifth ball of the last over to level the match. The tireless efforts of Bright and Mathews also saved Australia from the embarrassment of losing the match after they accumulated a mammoth total of 574 for seven in the first innings.

At one point during the compulsory 20 overs session, Australia had almost given up the match when they resorted to pressure tactics and gamesmanship. This is a credit to umpires Data Dotiwala and Vikram Raju for resisting pressure and bluffing when the Australians engaged in time-wasting tactics, perhaps in the hope that the light would go out by interfering with them. favor.

“We’re upset,” Australian team manager Alan Crompton said of the match. Cricket manager and former skipper Bob Simpson was gracious when he said: “It was the right result for positive cricket.”

Skipper Kapil Dev credited India’s performance as a team effort. But he particularly praised two seasoned campaigners, Sunil Gavaskar and Mohinder Amarnath, for preparing for the Indian innings. “Even though we lost wickets, we also gained runs,” is how Kapil justified India’s strategy in the compulsory overs.

India were favorably placed at the start of the compulsory 20 overs at 230 for three. It was only when they tried to counter the precise attack of Mathews and Bright that they started losing wickets. The last four wickets, who fetched 152 runs in the first innings, could only get 16 runs.

Different interpretations could be made from the various cameos in the Indian assault. The highest-scoring innings came from Gavaskar who missed out on his 33rd Test hundred by just 10 runs. The most elegant knock came from Amarnath, Srikkanth’s most fortuitous form, while Chetan Sharma and Yadav competed for the most selfless form. Besides, there was Pandit’s pleasing 39 and a bold, unbeaten 48 from Shastri.

The rules of the match stipulated that India had 67 overs during four and a half hours of play, in addition to the mandatory 20 overs. A target of 348 per day suggested a need for focus rather than cause for consternation. Instead, it was a pleasant surprise for the 25,000 fans who packed the giant Chidambaram Stadium when India accepted the challenge early on.

The pitch offered encouragement to the spinners, but it seemed possible to score runs if enough patience and diligence could be mustered. Gavaskar and Amarnath certainly showed the necessary qualities with a 103-run stand for the second wicket although Srikkanth lost patience just before lunch. Earlier, pacer McDermott was sent off the line. Left-arm speedster Reid varied the pace optimistically but with unhelpful results. And until tea, with India at 193 for two, Australia’s efforts consisted of maximum perseverance with minimum inspiration.

After Gavaskar’s dismissal, when Jones dove at cover, Azharuddin showed good reflexes and exemplary footwork from Pandit as they conjured up visions of an Indian victory. Then there was a crisis when Azhar and skipper Kapil left in quick succession. It was then that Shastri took charge with two sixes in play off Mathews.

Subsequently, fortunes fluctuated as Chetan and More fell to Bright. Yadav also bowled Mathews for a six before being bowled by Bright. At this stage, India were 344 for nine with eight balls to play.

Maninder safely bowled two balls from Blight and then Shastri prepared to face Mathews in the last over. After a defensive push, Shastri took two runs when Waugh missed to mid-wicket. The Indian vice-captain then scored a single to equalize. With the Australian fielders swooping like vultures, Maninder survived the fourth ball before falling leg-first to Mathews.

Mathews was the epitome of precision. His haul of five for 146 took his match figures to 10 for 249. Bright, who took five wickets for 94 runs, was also never far from stumps, but at times his line wavered. “Mathews and Bright helped our cause at the right time,” said skipper Border. They also saved some Australian pride.

Dean Jones and Kapil Dev shared the man of the match award for their batting exploits in the first innings.