A transcendent Rahul Dravid became the torch-bearer of India’s charge towards an imposing first inning score of 642 on the second day of the Kanpur Test. Knitting a 94-run stand with overnight partner Sachin Tendulkar, the taskmaster never gave the islanders even a semblance of a chance and eased past another Test hundred.
Dravid’s offensive approach in the series so far invokes a thought that ‘The Wall’ intends to send across a message that he is still in reckoning to play 2011 World Cup. He was clearly the dominant partner in this partnership as well, considering Sachin’s first boundary came off the 87th ball he faced. The master blaster got out soon after to Mendis’ carom ball, scoring 40.
VVS marched in to partner Dravid. Though he took his time to get used to the pitch’s slowness, Dravid found holes in the field at will, which ensured a healthy run rate. They took the team total past 500 and it was difficult to see any Lankan dislodging them. At this juncture came a fortunate moment for Sri Lanka. Laxman came out of his crease to Herath and hit the ball straight at him. The ball went straight through Herath’s hands to disturb the stumps at the nonstriker’s end and Dravid was found backing up way too far.
A run out, and that too in the most bizarre fashion, was probably the only way Dravid could have got out. India’s big-hundred man was dismissed for 144, at a time when he was looking good for many more. We all know Yuvraj’s edgy nature when he embarks against spin. Acknowledging that, along with the wicket’s slowness and the approaching lunch, he wisely chose to curb his aggressive instincts and went for lunch with Laxman at a healthy total of 535/4.
With India safely in no-defeat zone, the match too was in predictable territory, where a team first bats normally until tea and then tries to launch big hits before declaring an hour after tea. There were still no signs of pitch turning and runs were coming at will for Laxman and Yuvraj. By the time they completed their half tons, the Indian inning seemed to be on a cruise mode.
In an effort to stifle the Indian ease, Sri Lankan bowlers put together a nice period of tight 10-odd overs with the field up. The plan worked and helped Herath pull Laxman (63) out of his crease to slice one to mid-off for Dilshan. By then, India had already piled up an imposing 613 runs and with five wickets still in hand, looked to go into an overdrive.
Dhoni’s arrival to the crease was punctuated with cheers that we are accustomed to hear for Sachin. The roar kind of ascertained the stature he enjoys in India and world cricket. But the sense of relaxation that comes with such a high total got the better of Dhoni. He lunged forward to defend a Herath delivery which sneaked through his bat and pad to meet his stumps and send him back for just four. Harbhajan (5) met an identical end to give Herath his third hard-earned wicket. So from 613/4, Indian slipped to 639/7 at the stroke of tea interval.
Fortunately for India, the stutter coincided with upcoming declaration from Dhoni and if there was a collapse after lunch, it could well turn out to be a timely one. From spectators’ point of view, Yuvraj was still on the wicket and there was every chance of Yuvi radiations destroying Sri Lanka. To everyone’s dismay, events didn’t unfold the Indian way. On the contrary, India lost the remaining three wickets adding just three runs after tea. This meant that India lost its last 6 wickets for just 29 runs. While Yuvraj (67) was incredibly well caught by Sangakkara at mid wicket, Zaheer and Sreesanth became the two victims Herath required to complete his five-for. The scorecard showed India all out for 642.
The slip didn’t cost India much but it ended Sri Lanka’s bowling effort on a good note, giving Herath five wickets for 121 runs and bringing smiles on dog-tired Lankan faces.
The wrapping up of Indian innings in double-quick time on either side of Tea meant that Sri Lanka had almost a full session of 24 overs left to play out. This was also an opportunity for India to take a few quick wickets and give Sri Lanka a sleepless night. As Zaheer ran in with a shining red cherry in hand, the unexpected happened. A gentle loosener outside the leg stump to Dilshan was edged straight up in the air and the debutant Pragyan Ojha made no mistake to take his first Test catch. Sri Lanka 0/1 and Indian right on top.
Sangakkara could sense the spring in the stride of Indians as he came in to bat. Another early wicket here and Sri Lankan innings could be in shambles. Zaheer was immaculate as usual with his probing line and length but the comeback kid Sreesanth looked pretty rusty. While his seam position remained a treat to watch on slow motion, his line was all over the place that gave Sri Lanka much-needed boundaries.
The skipper gave Paranavitana all the confidence he needed and egged him on to stay put whenever the latter played a false shot. The short spells bowled by Harbhajan and Ojha were a treat to watch. This was the most promising Harbhajan looked in recent times but was unlucky to not get the umpire’s agreement on a couple of close shouts. Ojha bowled well in tandem with him and kept asking questions.
Sangakkara and his partner successfully negotiated the iffy period before close of play and remained not out to come back fresh tomorrow at 66/1. The most anticipated third day will tell us how much the pitch changes, if any, and whether the Indian bowlers learned from their mistakes in the previous game to put Sri Lanka under pressure.
JS on Cricket 