Cricket Blog

Day 1 Report

Pakistan needed desperately to bounce back as this was a do-or-die match for them. They have to win no matter what. But considering the first day’s play that may seem too far fetched now. Kumble won the toss and had no hesitation in batting first. Despite an early hiccup losing Karthik cheaply, Jaffer and Dravid ensured that there would be no further mishaps. The two put on a valuable 136 run partnership for the second wicket before Dravid was unlucky to be given caught behind to Danish Kaneria. India were 138/2. In walks the little master. Who would have thought that the master blaster would be overshadowed by someone called Wasim Jaffer, but that’s exactly what happened.

Jaffer was in the Zone and his strokes were sublime and effortless. He caressed the ball to all sides of the park and soon reached his first test century against Pakistan. India were 206/2 at the tea break from 55 overs. The partnership was going at around 5 runs per over. The final session saw the floodgates opened up. India amassed 146 runs from 29.3 overs and finished the day at 352/3 with Jaffer unbeaten on 192 from only 255 balls. He could very well be the second Indian ever to reach a triple hundred at the test level. Tendulkar was the third wicket to depart falling for a googly from Danish Kaneria. A long day awaits Pakistan tomorrow with Ganguly, Laxman and Dhoni to bat and Jaffer looking in ominous form. India need to get to 600+ and then declare. The pitch has been predicted to slow down and crumble during the third day making Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh as key weapons in the host’s arsenal.

Day 2 Report

Just as Day 1 belonged to Wasim Jaffer, Day 2 was all a very special person and a prince. Yes I am talking about VVS Laxman and Saurav Ganguly. The former scored yet another ton at his favorite ground and the latter got his first one at his home ground. The celebrations from Ganguly were something that you would expect from the former Indian skipper. Fists pumping in the air. Shouts of YES. Bat raised to the pavilion and to the crowd. Talking about the crowd. As soon as news spread that the local hero was on his way to a maiden ton at the Eden Gardens, the crowd started to really pour in. Soon it was over 50000 attendance but it seemed like it was a packed stadium. The intensity in the chanting reached fever pitch when Ganguly reached the 90s. It was a moment that nobody would forget. This could very well be one of his last few appearances in front of his adoring fans, and the Prince of Calcutta did not disappoint anyone.

On the other hand, VVS Laxman continued on at a pace that was both astonishing and appeasing at the same time. The silky touches were there. The wristy flicks were there. Laxman was in full control. Pakistan, for lack of better words, are in deep shit at the moment. There is no way that this match can be won by the visitors. Shoaib Akhtar and Kumble were bowling at the same pace, what more can be said about the fitness of the Rawalpindi Express. After Ganguly departed, Dhoni joined Laxman and took his own sweet time to get going, quite unlike him. But once Kumble sent the message that they would be coming in soon, Dhoni then unleashed a barrage of hits that took him to his fifty. India declared at 615/5 with 3 batsmen crossing triple figures and 3 batsmen crossing the 50-run milestone.

Pakistan then started decently but Kumble brought himself on real early and was rewarded with a wicket in his very first over. Yasir Hameed was caught plumb in front to be given out LBW. The visitors finished Day 2 on 50/1. With three more days to go, and the wicket crumbling completely, the hosts are in complete control of the second test. A lot will depend on how Mohammad Yousuf and Younis Khan bat in the remainder of this innings and, for that matter, the remainder of this match.

Day 3 Report

Who would have thought that Day 3 would bring a complete turnaround in this match, and maybe the series. Pakistan started the day at 50/1, with 566 runs behind. The first session of the day belonged to India as they picked up 4 more wickets to bring Pakistan to its knees. By lunch the score read 154/5 with only Kamran Akmal and Misbah ul-Haq as the last recognized batting pair for the visitors. Boy, did they turn it on or what. From absolutely nowhere, the two put on a massive 207 run partnership where both scored centuries. On a pitch that has completely deteriorated on just Day 3, the effort must be lauded as both Harbhajan and Kumble were at their most accurate best.

Earlier, Younis Khan and Salman Butt threw away their wickets by playing one shot too many. Both batsmen were well set and their wickets may still end up costing Pakistan this match as they will have to bat last, depending on how long the tail wags tomorrow. Harbhajan Singh caused most of the damage as he picked up Salman Butt and Mohammad Yousuf, the latter playing against the spin and completely missing the line to see the ball crashing into his middle and leg stumps.

With the twin tons, Pakistan ended the day at a very healthy 358/6 and Misbah ul-Haq is still batting there. If the tail can give him enough support, this match could still have a result in favor of Pakistan depending on how well they bowl in the second innings. But a performance like this is always a morale booster so I will expect the Pakistani bowlers to be fired up in the second innings. Its a certainty now that India will have to bat again, just a matter of when. Well done Misbah and Kamran for bringing this series alive.

Day 4 Report

Pretty much more of the same from Pakistan. Excellent recovery I must say all thanks to Misbah ul-Haq. Pakistan have surely found the perfect replacement for the other ul-Haq, ie Inzy. Kamran Akmal had departed late on Day 3 and Mohammad Sami provided excellent support to Misbah who remained unbeaten on 161.

India started their second innings with only 160 runs in front, atleast 100 runs less than what they would have liked. Wasim Jaffer continued on in his sublime form and got past another 50, however he did not last too long. Dinesh Karthik also continued on with his own streaky form, edging balls all over the place. India finally ended the day at 141/2 from 36 overs with Ganguly and Dhoni batting. A lot will depend on how fast India can score and how aggressive Kumble wants to be in his declaration. Misbah has already declared Pakistan’s intentions when he said that a Draw would be treated as a win by the visitors.

Click here for the full scorecard

Day 1 Highlights (Updated with Full Highlights)

Day 2 Highlights

Laxman-Ganguly Partnership

Day 3 Highlights

Day 4 Highlights

Day 5 Highlights

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