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Statistical Preview: India Vs Pakistan 2004-05:
2nd Test at Kolkata |
Compiled by Ashwat Ramani
The 1st Test at Mohali
ended in a tame draw, with Pakistan coming back
strongly on Day 5 and defying the Indians a
victory. It was sheer dominance of the Pakistani
late order in 3 sessions which stood between a
Pakistan defeat and a Draw.
The scene now shifts to
the Mecca of Indian Cricket - The Eden Gardens
at Kolkata. The Indians will be hungry to win
this one after coming so close at Mohali, while
the Pakistanis will go in with loads of
confidence after inspiring performances coming
from Danish Kaneria and Kamran Akmal.
Cricketfundas.com brings out a special
statistical preview for all it's viewers, hours
before the action begins at Kolkata.
With the last test ending
in a draw, the tally of draws between both the
countries has increased upto 34 out of 51
matches.
| |
Played |
India Won |
Pakistan
Won |
Drawn |
|
India Vs
Pakistan |
51 |
7 |
10 |
34 |
The Pitch at Kolkata has been targeted by the
Media since the past few days and there are
speculations of a green top in this encounter.
It seems quite probable that Harbhajan might get
a nod ahead of Zaheer for Eden Gardens, since
this has been a happy hunting ground for him.
Harbhajan Singh @ Eden
Gardens, Kolkata
|
Matches |
Wickets |
Average |
5-W |
Best |
|
4 |
29 |
18.75 |
4 |
7-87 |
In just 4 matches, Harbhajan has picked up 29
wickets at a stunning average of 18.74 with a
match-winning 7-87 coming against the Aussies in
an historic encounter in 2001. It will be quite
interesting to see what sought of a Pakistani XI
will be on display tomorrow, after
Naved-ul-Hasan Rana has been ruled out of side
with a shoulder injury. We might see Mohammad
Khalil getting a chance or Pakistan might well
go in with another spinner in the form of the
veteran - Arshad Khan or all-rounder Shahid
Afridi.
So far, India and Pakistan have faced each other
in 5 grueling encounters at Kolkata and Pakistan
have had the upper hand with a win to their name
and the remaining four being draws. The last
time both teams played at Kolkata gave birth to
a speedy demon named Shoaib Akhtar who rocked
back the stumps of Dravid and Sachin in
succession to lead his team to a memorable
victory.
At Kolkata...
|
Player |
Matches |
Runs |
Average |
H-S |
100's |
|
VVS Laxman |
6 |
762 |
84.66 |
281 |
2 |
|
R Dravid |
6 |
540 |
54.00 |
180 |
1 |
|
S Tendulkar |
7 |
451 |
41.00 |
176 |
1 |
|
V Sehwag |
2 |
143 |
35.75 |
88 |
0 |
|
S Ganguly |
6 |
268 |
26.80 |
65 |
0 |
The Indian batting looks to be in decent touch
after a good display in the 1st Innings at
Mohali. Sehwag who clobbered the Pakistanis in
the previous match would like to carry on from
where he left, while Sachin who missed out on
becoming the leading century maker will make
sure that he doesn't repeat his mistakes. VVS
Laxman who considers Eden Gardens to be his
favourite ground would like to continue his good
form after a confident half century at Mohali.
India and Pakistan @ Eden
Gardens...
|
Teams |
Played |
Won |
Lost |
Drawn |
|
India |
33 |
7 |
8 |
18 |
|
Pakistan |
5 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
India haven't had a very good record at Eden
Gardens after having lost 8 of the 33 matches
that they have featured in. The good news for
all Indian fans here is that in the last 3 Tests
played here, India has won 2 and has drawn one.
So effectively, the Indian captain and the
homeboy Sourav Ganguly is still undefeated in
his own backyard.
|
Achievable
Milestones during the Kolkata Test |
-
Sachin Tendulkar needs 27 runs to complete
10,000 runs in Test Cricket and one more century to
become the leading century maker in Tests.
-
VVS Laxman needs 147 more runs to complete 4,000
runs in Test Cricket.
-
Sourav Ganguly requires 78 runs to complete
5,000 runs in Test Cricket.
-
Harbhajan Singh requires 11 more wickets to
reach 200 Test Wickets.
-
Irfan Pathan requires 8 more wickets to reach 50
Test Wickets.
-
Shahid Afridi requires 162 more runs to complete
1000 runs in Test Cricket.
-
Steve Bucknor will become the 1st Umpire to
officiate in 100 Tests.
The Eden Gardens has been a historic venue for
both these teams with Pakistan pulling off a
superb win in 1999 after being bowled out for
186 in the 1st Innings, while India tasted
victory after being enforced the follow-on
against Australia in 2001. Thus, the 34th Test
at the Eden Gardens promises to be yet another
fun filled action packed encounter as
Cricketfundas.com takes the opportunity to wish
both these teams all the very best.
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