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Pakistan in India 2004-05: Pakistan Vs India -
3rd Test at Bangalore - Day 3 |
Report by Karthik Narayan
March 26th, 2005:
Ind 379/6
(Sehwag 201 Laxman
51*, Kaneria 3/97) trail
Pak 570
by 191 runs
Full
Scorecard
Day 3 was the most crucial day in this test
match and the first hour was all the more
important. After 2 quiet overs, Sehwag continued
his run spree at express speeds. His
half-century came within the first half hour at
a run a ball. Sami bowled with hostility and
speed his perseverance gave a smart reward
when his short ball to Gambhir was steered right
into the hands of Younis Khan at second slip.
Pakistan had drawn first blood at 98/1, Gambhir
once again not performing to his potential. It
was again a case of Gambhir throwing away his
wicket after looking so good in the middle.
Dravid walked in with Sehwag on song. This
Delhi opener seems to love this Pakistan attack
he milked every bowler in sight, and his
record speaks for itself. The pre-lunch session
saw Indian batsmen dominating the Pakistani
attack. He demonstrated why hes considered one
of the most destructive batsmen in world cricket
today. Dravid has a poor record at his home
ground, and that poor run continued after
looking set for a big score, Dravid tried a
sweep across the line off Kaneria, and was
adjudged lbw by umpire Taufel.
Immediately after lunch, Sehwag completed his
tenth test century (with a single for a change),
and the crowd was on their feet this man has
made them go wild everytime he has batted in
this series, and his amazing run of consistency
continued. If India were to make this match go
their way, Sehwag was the man they looked upon
to guide them. And he did not let his team down.
Master and Pupil came together Sachin and
Sehwag! While Sachin looked to settle down,
Sehwag moved into the next gear consolidation.
But, half an hour before tea, Sachin on 41 tried
to heave Afridi, the ball catching the edge of
the bat and it resulted in a catch to Younis
Khan (having a great test match) at backward
point.
Laxman and Sehwag got some runs going, but as
soon as he finished his second double century
(both have been against Pakistan!) he fell to
Danish Kaneria. Sehwag got a standing ovation as
he took the long walk back to the pavilion. But
he had done a sterling job and it was a great
knock.
India was in a tight situation with a
not-in-great-form Ganguly joining Laxman with
337/4 and 34 runs to avoid the follow on and a
huge lead to cover yet! Ganguly had just got off
the mark when he came down the track to Kaneria
and was totally fooled by the google to get
himself stumped out. Ganguly hasnt promised
anything with the bat in this series and his bad
run continues. It is high time for him to
re-think and work hard on getting back amongst
the runs.
Dinesh Karthik walked in to bat with a solid
93 behind him in the last game but this is an
all new game and pressure situation. The pair of
Laxman & Karthik helped India past the follow on
target. However, Karthik played a loose shot a
rash swipe outside the off stump and gave an
easy catch to Asim Kamal at the fag end of the
day. India faltered after Sehwag batted
brilliantly apart from him, nobody else really
tried to hang in there and make runs. To the
credit of the Pakistanis, Kaneria and Sami
bowled very well. At the end of the day, Pathan
was unbeaten on 0 and Laxman completed a much
needed half-ton under pressure (51*). India is
trailing by 191 runs with 4 wickets left in the
1st innings.
From here, Pakistan cannot lose this test
unless India plays out of their skins. Now it is
a matter of how quickly Pakistan bowl India out
tomorrow and what sought of a target do they set
for the Indians. There are only 2 real
possibilities at this stage draw or a Pakistan
win. Tomorrow shall hold that question in
balance we all hope for a fantastic 4th days
play.
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