Sehwag shines on a gloomy day

India v Pakistan
First Test, Mohali – Day 2

India made the most of the 40 overs possible on Day 2 of the first Test against Pakistan at Mohali, by reaching 184/1 in response to the tourists’ first innings score of 312, with Virendar Sehwag contributing a typically sizzling 95 not out.

Pakistan bowlers didn’t have the best of the days, as persistent rain during the first two sessions, which prevented play at all and then Sehwag’s blistering batting which defied them so as to not allow them settling into a rhythm.

Gautam Gambhir was the only batsman to lose his wicket, after making a promising 41, but not before the Pakistani pace-men were thrashed all over the field. With the absence of Shoaib Akhtar and a couple others frontline seamers, the work load fell upon the shoulders of Mohammed Sami and Naved-ul-Hasan, but they failed miserably, especially the latter, who was taken for 29 runs off his first spell of four overs.

In fact, it wasn’t until leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, who took Gambhir’s wicket, was brought into the attack that the Indian openers were troubled at all. Although, poor fielding on Pakistan’s part was to blame for the lack of wickets as well, as Sehwag himself was let off twice, first on 15 and then on 82.

Before play could be called off because of bad light, Sehwag was already within short distance of another Test century, as he reached 95, which included 12 fours and a six. Rahul Dravid, who joined him at the fall of Gambhir’s wicket, remained unbeaten on a patiently composed 39.

Pakistan 312 all out in 86.4 overs
Taufeeq Umar 44, Inzamam-ul-Haq 57, Asim Kamal 91, IK Pathan 2/68, L Balaji 5/76, A Kumble 2/76
India 184 for 1 in 40 overs
G Gambhir 41, V Sehwag 95*, R Dravid 39*, Danish Kaneria 1/37

India trail by 128 runs with nine first innings wickets in hand.