It has been four days of nerve-wracking cricket, the kind you would expect whenever India meet Australia in a Test.
After weeks of ugly politics witnessed in the run-up to the BCCI elections, the TV rights 'tamasha' and the courtroom battle, which is still on, this Test is a reminder to all those who are willing to listen: Leave cricket to the cricketers.
Thousands have queued up to watch the second Test, which at the end of the fourth day is poised on a razor's edge. India need 210 more runs to win. On a last-day crumbling wicket and against a team like Australia — which made India sweat for the 155 needed to win the deciding Test match of that famous 2001 series last time here — it is not going to be easy.
That cricket has suffered due to the rumblings in the Board and India failed to prepare properly for this series, could be a small footnote in history if they go on to win the Test and level the series.
The fans have flocked in droves, be it in Bangalore or here, and that means Test match cricket is still alive and kicking. The infamous Australian sledging has given way to something nicer and very welcome: the batsman walking even before an umpire has given the decision.
At the end of the first day's play, the portly English umpire David Shepherd slipped after a sauna and received a couple of stitches on one of his fingers. The next day, he was back. Smiling like a child, he said, "Bilkul teekh takh hai (I am absolutely ok)."
{{/usCountry}}At the end of the first day's play, the portly English umpire David Shepherd slipped after a sauna and received a couple of stitches on one of his fingers. The next day, he was back. Smiling like a child, he said, "Bilkul teekh takh hai (I am absolutely ok)."
{{/usCountry}}Yes, if cricket is left to the players it will always remain "teekh takh".