The Hindu : Sport : Laxman and Dhoni prop up the Indian innings

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Saturday, Nov 24, 2007
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Laxman and Dhoni prop up the Indian innings

S. Dinakar

Misbah-ul-Haq falls short of a century; Shoaib Akhtar and Sohail Tanvir jolt Indian top order

— PHOTOS: S. Subramanium / AFP

THE BATTLE IS ON: Rahul Dravid had no clue to this one from Sohail Tanvir and Sachin Tendulkar was run out going for a non-existent second run on day two of the first Test on Friday. But M.S. Dhoni and V.V.S. Laxman cheered the Indian hearts with a century partnership.

New Delhi: On a day of several twists at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground, both the sides had reasons to look to the future with optimism.

At 228 for six, India is just three runs short of Pakistan’s first innings total of 231 on Friday. However, Pakistan will be in with a definite chance if it manages to dismiss India quickly on the third morning when the conditions should assist the pacemen.

India will have to bat last on a pitch where batting is likely to become increasingly difficult. India will fancy its chances if it can stretch its lead to anywhere around 100 runs. The host could then restrict its target to within manageable proportions.

Missing opportunities

Both the sides have also missed gilt-edged opportunities. Pakistan’s ninth wicket of pair of Misbah-ul-Haq and Mohammad Sami added 87crucial runs to provide their side a sliver of hope after India had almost sliced through. And Pakistan had India reeling at 93 for five on day two when V.V.S. Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni put together 115 critical runs for the sixth wicket.

Dhoni (57, 93b, 8x4) was eventually adjudged caught behind after charging down to a lovely-flighted delivery that drifted away from leg-spinner Danish Kaneria. The Indian vice-captain had responded admirably to a challenging situation, keeping the good deliveries away and thumping the ordinary ones.

Dramatic session

Earlier, the Test opened up in a dramatic post-lunch session. India lumped from 71 for one to 93 for five between overs 22 and 28. The run-out dismissal of the in-form Sachin Tendulkar jolted India. The maestro slipped while turning for a second run but continued his progress towards the non-striker’s end. He eventually turned back but was caught short by the Mohammad Yousuf (from square-leg)-KamranAkmal combination.

Debutant left-armer Sohail Tanvir’s natural angle from over the wicket enabled him to beat and bowl the left-handed Sourav Ganguly. The fluently stroking Dravid then played around a useful Tanvir delivery angling across him to be castled.

The spurts of aggression from Dhoni — his cover-drive off Mohammad Sami stood out — pegged the Pakistani attack back. During the later stages of his effort, Dhoni’s sore ankle troubled him. The conditions called for application and judicious stroke selection.

Laxman (57 not out, 107b, 7x4) was all that and more. There is a flow to this right-hander’s batting that only comes with natural ability. His straight drive off Sohail Tanvir was stunning, while a wristy flick off Sami oozed elegance. Perhaps, his finest shot was a drive through mid-wicket against the turn off Kaneria.

Conscious of the vagaries of the pitch, he was front-footed in his ways. Shoaib Malik rightly used Akhtar in bursts at vital stages. The move to open the bowling with the right-left combination of Akhtar and Tanvir was a thoughtful one.

Akhtar’s intense and rhythmic run-up is among the more exciting ones in international cricket. Save a few aberrations, Akhtar was fast and threatening. He snared Dinesh Karthik with a good length delivery that moved away; Karthik needed to get a bigger stride forward.

Akhtar then hurtled in after lunch to end the ominous partnership between Jaffer and Dravid.

Fortunate to survive an earlier leg-before shout from Akhtar, Jaffer shuffled across to a pacy delivery angling in to be caught in front.

In the morning, Misbah (82, 243b, 6x4, 1x6) erred in evading a Karthik throw from gully rather than blocking it. The throw sneaked through his legs to end a well-constructed innings. Eventually, Kumble collected his fourth wicket. He has unfinished business left in the Test.

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