India Off To Positive Start

Star batsmen, Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar all continued their brilliant form as the trio put India in command.

Winning the toss and batting first, India got away to an explosive start once more with Pakistan’s nemesis Virender Sehwag batting at his brutal best once again.

The explosive Delhi batsman alongside his state mate, Gautam Gambhir capitalised on a weak Pakistani bowling attack and gave India the early advantage on the first day’s play.

Thanks to some elegant and dominating strokeplay, India went past their 50 and the signs were ominous once again for Inzamam Ul Haq and Pakistan.

However, star leg spinner Danish Kaneria struck the important blow as Gautam Gambhir was dismissed for 29.
One of the world’s best strode out to the crease in Rahul Dravid and alongside Sehwag gave the Pakistani bowling attack no respite.

Sehwag was at his best with blazing strokes all around the wicket as he raced towards another century agaisnt Pakistan and his second in the series. However a century was not to be at Eden Gardens as the clever Shahid Afridi had Sehwag dismissed for 81.

As one star departed, the star everybody wanted to see arrived. The little master, Sachin Tendulkar was nearing a milestone which few have accomplished, 10,000 test match runs.

Rahul Dravid continued to steadily accumilate his runs and never gave his wicket away as Dravid went past the half century landmark yet again.

Tendulkar looked subdued at first but eventually found himself moving with a punching drive off Shahid Afridi. Soon after the legend reached his 10,000th run and the Eden Gardens erupted in unison to pay tribute to India’s favourite son.

Tendulkar soon after registered his second fifty of the series and was looking to capitalise and break that elusive record of 35 test centuries.

Unfortunately, that record of 35 test centuries was not to be as Pakistan struck and Tendulkar was caught behind off the bowling of Shahid Afridi for 52.

Dravid at the other end continued to prove why he is one of world cricket’s most valued wickets as he reached yet another test century and another against Pakistan.

Soon after Ganguly (12) and Laxman (0) fell in quick succession to Abdul Razzaq and Pakistan fought their way back into the match reducing India to 5/298.

As the day was about to come to a close, India’s rock Rahul Dravid was the last man to fall as he was dismissed off the bowling of Kaneria for 110.

At the end of day’s play, India were 6/344 with Dinesh Karthik not out on 28.

Brief Score Summary:

India (1st Innings): 6/344 (Dravid 110, Sehwag 81, Tendulkar 52, Kaneria 3/136, Afridi 3/80, Razzaq 3/62)