A Review of the 1st Test at Mohali by Venkat

After Pakistan played a successful host last year, it was time for India to reciprocate the goods towards its neighbour, as both countries locked horns against each other on Indian soil after six years. Mohali was the venue for the First of the Three tests, and was strategically chosen as it was closer to home for the thousands of Pakistani fans, who flocked the stadium to see their boys fight it out against the home team. Every clash between these two teams, has a high point, which ultimately adds on to the saga of the series. Cricketfundas.com presents to all its readers an exclusive match review of the 1st Test played between India and Pakistan at Mohali from 8th to 12th March.

 

Toss: The toss in the sub-continent is gaining more and more importance by the day, and on this occasion, things weren't any different. The pitch was meant to be a seamer's paradise and the captain who won the toss would have no hesitation in bowling well. As things unfolded according to the script, Sourav Ganguly won the toss and sent Pakistan to bat on a dodgy first day wicket. Both teams maintained a balance with regards to their bowling playing three seamers and one spinner each.

 

India:

 

India went into this game as clear favourites against their opponents this surely must have put them under some sorts of internal pressures to outperform and come clear of their opponents. The Indian bowlers justified the faith shown on them by their skipper as they skimmed through the Pakistani batting on Day 1 by bowling them out for 312. It was a comeback to remember for Lakshmipathy Balaji as he picked up his maiden fiver immediately after a recovery from injury. The Indian batsmen performed as per expectations - asserting themselves over the weak and toothless Pakistani bowling. The opening partnership between two dazzlers from Delhi - Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag ensured that a foundation is laid upon which a huge score could be consolidated. Sehwag's ton (173) along with Sachin's scratchy 94 and VVS's under pressure 58 reiterated the dominance asserted by the Indian batsmen, who looked at ease on the wicket. After taking a decent lead of 204 on Day 4, India got a firm hand over proceedings when the bowlers broke the back of the Pakistani top order. But, the match seemed history after that as consecutive partnerships forged by the Pakistanis, denied them victory. Apart from the initial burst, and with the exceptions of Balaji and Kumble, the attack lacked penetration and intensity, which was fully exploited by the Pakistani batsmen.

 

This is not new for Indian cricket as positions of dominance have been let loose in the past, and this has hurt them the most. India were clear winners of the four days but the most crucial day of the match - Day 5, denied them a lead in the series, firstly thanks to a brilliant revival by Kamran Akmal and Abdul Razzaq and secondly thanks to some sloppy cricket. The Indians have none but themselves to blame for whatever happened in this game. Hopefully, Indian cricket will see its prime back at its adopted home - Kolkata in the Second Test.]

Milestones Achieved: Anil Kumble went on to take 450 wickets by dismissing Mohammad Sami

 

Pakistan:

 

Pakistan, having lost 2 of its last 3 Test series, were the so-called underdogs going into the game. After being put into bat by the Indians, they did in a way justify that tag by succumbing to some good Indian bowling. Inzamam and Asim Kamal's fifties proved to be gold in the context of the match, where the Pakistanis were bowled out for 312 on the first day. When many pundits were writing them off, especially their weakest bowling attack ever, the Pakistanis displayed their true fighting colours as late as on the third and fourth day, where we saw some relentless, lion-hearted bowling by leggie Danish Kaneria. His 6-for 150 proved to be important in the match as it put the breaks on the Indian juggernaut, especially after Sehwag's departure and then brought the innings to a grinding end. After trailing by 204, their openers proved to be of no worth, as Pakistan found themselves in a soup at 10/3. It was an ideal scenario for Pakistan's richest to make hay while the sun shines. Inzamam and Youhana scored some fluent runs, and after their departure Asim Kamal yet again carried on. As Day 4 ended, Pakistan seemed to stare defeat on its face, UNTIL.....

 

As they say, the best was reserved for the last. And indeed, we did see the best cricket of the Test match by Pakistan, when two of their young players Kamran Akmal and Abdul Razzaq played out of their skins to save the match for their country. Akmal made a brilliant strokeful century and was rightfully adjudicated the man of the match, for playing the lead role in the dramatic revival of the Pakistani fortunes. Although the match ended in a draw, it would not be unfair to say that Pakistan emerged a winner in their own way. The match and the Pakistan 2nd Innings, summed up the spirit of these India-Pakistan matches, where fight is on a national rather than an individual level. Hopefully Pakistan can take off from here and now compete to win the series.

 

To sum up, this match had the ingredients of an exciting draw. Even when the scales tilted towards India, Pakistan did not give up and played with all their heart out to save the game. One only hopes that the quality of cricket of this game augers well for the future matches in the series. A word of praise for the crowd at Mohali, who in truest words, have been nothing short of exemplary and good to see them take the best and worst of both teams.

Milestones Achieved: Mohammad Sami completed 50 Test wickets by dismissing Dinesh Karthik