So India have bounced back and the see-saw battle between these two countries continues on. But a 2-1 lead in a 5 match series is always handy. The turning point in the match was the first six that Yuvraj hit off Abdur Rehman and from there on the momentum shifted tremendously.

The toss was won by Shoaib Malik and he elected to field first citing reasons that his team chases well and he wanted to make use of the early conditions. Pakistani new-ball bowlers lost the plot early on as they gave away far too many runs to the best opening combination in ODI history. Both Sachin and Saurav made use of the chances given to them, especially Saurav who was dropped of the first ball by Kamran Akmal.

Sachin took his own time to settle down but the boundaries started to come and he looked set for a big innings. Before he played a loose shot to give Sohail Tanveer his first wicket. Akmal, in complete contrast to the dropped catch, leapt to his right to snatch it out of midair. The man in form, Gautam Gambhir, walked in to replace the Little Master.

Today was not going to be Gambhir’s day, and he struggled for most part of his innings. He was also involved with a brushing incident with Shahid Afridi that will be looked at very carefully by the match referee. When he departed at 129-3 India were in a crucial situation. They did not have a lot of overs left and they could not afford to lose any more wickets. Yuvraj was joined by Dhoni, and it seems to me that these two play their best cricket when they are together. It also looks like this pair can very well be the best finishing pair in the game.

Yuvraj was tied down at one end, but he did not lose his cool and kept a calm head. It was a calculated aggressive move that shifted the game to India’s favour. Abdur Rehman had got Gambhir in his first over and his first 3 had gone for 5 runs. Yuvraj then swept a flighted delivery over the square leg boundary for a six and then smashed another one straight down the ground to start the run charge.

Acting on cue, skipper Dhoni then spanked Shoaib Malik for a couple in the very next over. All of a sudden India had smashed 4 sixes in 7 balls. The partnership got the boost that it required. Afridi was dispatched to ropes with disdain from Dhoni. When he departed, the 4th wicket partnership had gone for 100 runs from only 91 balls. India then smashed their way to reach 294 - a formidable total on a pitch that was slowing down and offered variable bounce plus plenty of turn for the spinners.

Pakistan needed a solid start and for that reason they sent in Afridi to open the innings with Salman Butt. Afridi smashed a couple of boundaries in the very first over. He, however, lost his off stump to a delivery that came in from Irfan Pathan. India had got the early breakthrough and Pakistan had suffered a major loss. Salman Butt on the other hand was going from strength to strength. Its no wonder that he loves to play against India, all his 3 centuries previous to this match have been scored against India. Today was going to be no exception as he single-handedly took the match almost away from India before a dodgy decision saw him being given LBW late in the innings.

Younis Khan quickly found out how things can change. A hero in the run chase just a few days ago, he lost his off stump to a terrible misjudgement of an RP Singh delivery. Shouldering arm thinking that the ball would pass away harmlessly, Younis Khan could only watch in horror as the ball came in and crashed into his off stump. A crucial blow from India and another big wicket to RP Singh who is now getting into the habit of getting these big wickets.

Mohammad Yousuf joined Butt and the two started to rebuild the innings. That wasn’t going to last for long. Yuvraj Singh, in what could only be described as a stunning piece of fielding, dived to his left and picked up the ball to throw down the stumps at the bowler’s end. Luckily for him Zaheer Khan failed to touch the ball and a direct hit saw Yousuf well short of his ground. Three batsmen who could have helped Pakistan win this match were gone before the hundred was scored.

Shoaib Malik had to play a captain’s knock. However, he just decided to go into his shell and the pressure started to build with a lot of dot balls and lack of singles. The strike wasn’t being rotated and the Indian bowlers were able to bring the match back into control. Once the asking rate exceeded 6 an over, it just kept on going up.

Shoaib then lost his balance to Yuvraj Singh and was given LBW. A good decision by umpire Ian Gould. Misbah came in to bat and Pakistan had their best partnership of the match. Even though the required rate kept on creeping up, as long as these two were batting the hopes for a win were always there for Pakistan. A good slower delivery from Murali Karthik saw the end of Misbah and triggered a mini collapse as Pakistan lost 3 quick wickets. It was never going to be a victory from here onwards. Salman Butt finished with career best figures of 129 runs. Yuvraj Singh was awarded man of the match.

We now move to Gwalior for the next game on Thursday. It will be Pakistan’s turn to respond back for if they don’t then India will win the series. India, on their part, would be looking to wrap up the series which they should have today had they defended the 321 run total at Mohali. Very much GAME ON!!!

Click here for the full scorecard

Click here for the Gambhir vs Afridi incident

Full Match Highlights

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