Sport

Ganguly and Laxman add to Pakistan’s misery

— Photo: K.R. Deepak

CAPTAIN STRIKES: Skipper Anil Kumble began India’s efforts to restrict Pakistan by claiming Yasir Hameed’s wicket.

Kolkata: For a few magical seconds, Sourav Ganguly shed all those years. With the enthusiasm of a schoolboy, he clenched his fists and jumped for joy even while continuing to sprint after completing a hectic run.

This was Ganguly’s first Test hundred at the Eden Gardens and he was not going to allow the moment to fly away. The cheers were deafening as ‘Dada’ laughed and waved his willow.

V.V.S. Laxman was relatively subdued in his celebrations after reaching his hundred. His feats at this great arena are legend and his relationship with Eden Gardens, a symbiotic one.

Earlier, Wasim Jaffer (202, 274b, 34x4) completed his second Test double century. His appetite for runs undiminished, the opener is growing in stature.

India held all the cards at the end of the second day of the second IndianOil Test. Replying to the host’s mammoth 616 for five declared — this is India’s highest Test total against Pakistan at home — the visitor was 50 for one.

Yasir Hameed failed to build on a start, playing outside the line of a top-spinner from Anil Kumble. Skipper Younis Khan boldly stepped in to join a fighting Salman Butt, but Pakistan will spend an uneasy night.

The surface favoured batting on Saturday but could offer purchase for the spinners on the last two days. Sunday could prove decisive.

There were just two successes for Pakistan — Wasim Jaffer edged a delivery angling across him from Sohail Tanvir and Ganguly was taken in the outfield — as India added 264 runs in 68.2 overs.

Not much went right for Pakistan; not even after the third umpire pressed the wrong button when an appeal for a stumping against Laxman was referred to him. He quickly reversed his decision to ‘not out.’

On a track such as this, a paceman requires air-speed and swing to breach defences. And a spinner needs flight to beat the batsmen in the air. Pakistan lacked both.

Shoaib Akhtar was sharper on Saturday but could not generate the extra yard of pace so essential for those swinging full length deliveries. The journey from sick-bed to cauldron is never easy.

Kaneria, once again, attempted to be restrictive, bowling a leg-stump line. And a leg-spinner is a much lesser threat if he is not attacking ... on any surface.

The number of strokes the Indian batsmen whipped off the pads reflected a lack of consistency in the line. With the bowlers straying, Younis Khan had trouble setting his field.

Sami strove without success. Left-armer Sohail Tanvir’s lack of an incoming delivery to the right-hander was once again evident. The left-right pair of Ganguly (102, 156b, 14x4) and Laxman (112 not out, 178b, 15x4) was pro-active even as the bowlers struggled to shift line.

The duo added 163 runs in 233 balls. This was Ganguly’s 14th Test hundred and Laxman’s 11th.

The metamorphosis in Ganguly’s technique was first seen on India’s last Test campaign in South Africa. His stance is now upright and the bat travels down straighter from a shorter back-lift. Since he is not leaning in his stance, Ganguly is more balanced on the on-side.

He is also in a better position to judge deliveries on or around the off-stump. The runs are flowing.

However, once he fended an Akhtar lifter past a diving Yasir Hameed at gully. Otherwise, it was an innings of pristine timing and elegance. He drove the pacemen off either foot between point and cover, harnessing the speed of the ball, finding the gaps.

Laxman’s on-drives once again indicated his class. His whiplash pulls — he uses his wrists and elbow more than the shoulder for this particular stroke — hit the boards in a flash. He drilled holes on the off-side.

The field was spread out but the majestic Laxman still managed to find the boundaries.

M.S. Dhoni began uneasily, then biffed a few hefty blows. It was a hard day under the sun for Pakistan.

Meanwhile, there was a moment of concern for India when Zaheer Khan left the arena without completing his second over.

The paceman appeared to have hurt his hamstring and his recovery will be watched with interest.

SCOREBOARD

 India — 1st innings: W. Jaffer c Akmal b Tanvir 202, D. Karthik c Younis b Tanvir 1, R. Dravid c Akmal b Kaneria 50, S. Tendulkar b Kaneria 82, S. Ganguly c Tanvir b Butt 102, V.V.S. Laxman (not out) 112, M.S. Dhoni (not out) 50, Extras (b-8, lb-5, nb-3, w-1): 17; Total (for five wkts. decl., 152.5 overs): 616.

Fall of wickets: 1-2 (Karthik), 2-138 (Dravid), 3-313 (Tendulkar), 4-375 (Jaffer), 5-538 (Ganguly).

Pakistan bowling: Akhtar 24-2-84-0, Tanvir 39-6-166-2, Sami 29-2-99-0, Kaneria 50-7-194-2, Hameed 4-0-24-0, Butt 6.5-0-36-1.

Pakistan — 1st innings: S. Butt (batting) 26, Y. Hameed lbw b Kumble 21, Younis (batting) 3; Total (for one wkt. in 16 overs): 50.

Fall of wicket: 1-38 (Hameed).

Indian bowling: Zaheer 1.2-0-2-0, Patel 3-0-22-0, Harbhajan 6.4-2-14-0, Kumble 5-1-12-1.

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