Sehwag double century lits up ChinnaswamyBy Suhrid Barua
Bangalore: The other evening teammate VVS Laxman smeared Holi on Virender Sehwag after he scripted a fine little cameo of 39 and remained unconquered. On Saturday, he chose to play Holi of a different kind. In what is now becoming bit of a regular feature now, Mr Sehwag once again made a mockery of his critics who would often talk mordantly about his lack of technique and footwork. Scorecard of Day ThreeAfter all how can you keep harping on the fact that he's not the conventional Test opener. Today he showed once again that he is very much cut out for this level as he waded into the Pakistani attack scoring a blazing double century to bring India on an even kneel with Pakistan as the hosts finished the day 379 for six, still 191 adrift of Pakistan's first innings total of 570 on day three of the third and final Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here.The day belonged to Sehwag. He didn't allow the Pakistan bowlers to settle down. Every time Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq rung the bowling changes, the Delhi Bomber would take the attack to them and rattle them. He cut, drove, pull with élan to leave the visitors clueless. The Delhi swashbuckler who brought up his 10th Test hundred in the post-lunch session, had to endure the early loss of his opening partner-Gautam Gambhir who fell to Kaneria, caught behind the wicket for 24. Local boy Rahul Dravid was in sublime touch picking a few boundaries before he fell largely due to his own indiscretion. He attempted an over-ambitious sweep off Kaneria and was adjudged lbw for 22. Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar in search of his record-making 35th hundred, started proceedings in a positive fashion getting the measure of the Pakistan attack quickly. He cracked seven sweetly-timed boundaries before throwing it away. He went for expansive drive on the off-side but only managed to sky a simple catch to Younis Khan off part-timer Shahid Afridi.VVS Laxman joined Sehwag and the pair mixed caution with aggression to maintain the vice-like grip on the Pakistani bowlers. Laxman took his time to get his eye in and the calm approach of the stylish Hyderabadi enabled Sehwag to play his natural game as he scored more freely to close in on a double century in the post-tea session.The right-hander reached his double hundred in his own inimitable style. He went for a big heave on the off-side off Kaneria but misjudged the line completely even as the ball ballooned up high in the air but luckily it fell in a no man's land area triggering a standing ovation from the Chinnaswamy crowd.Few minutes later off the same Sehwag brought an end to his extended Holi celebration as he was foxed by Kaneria getting a leading edge while trying to work the ball away, offering a return catch to the bowler.His marathon knock of 201 contained 262 balls, 28 fours and two sixes.Pumped up by Sehwag's dismissal, Kaneria got rid of skipper Ganguly having him stumped by Akmal for one to extend his dry run with the bat.Keeper Dinesh Kaarthick joined forces with Laxman and the duo looked to play out the day when the latter perished. Kaarthick departed executing a well-timed drive off Sami only to see Asif Kamal plucking a good catch. Kaarthick made 10.VVS Laxman grew in confidence and solidified the lower-order with a unbeaten half-century (51). Giving him company was Irfan Pathan on nought at close. A lot depends on how the Laxman-Pathan partnership prosper on Sunday if India have to move closer to the Pakistan's first innings total of 569. At the moment though it looks a tall order but knowing Laxman one could sense that the game is heading for a draw.
Bangalore: The other evening teammate VVS Laxman smeared Holi on Virender Sehwag after he scripted a fine little cameo of 39 and remained unconquered. On Saturday, he chose to play Holi of a different kind. In what is now becoming bit of a regular feature now, Mr Sehwag once again made a mockery of his critics who would often talk mordantly about his lack of technique and footwork. Scorecard of Day ThreeAfter all how can you keep harping on the fact that he's not the conventional Test opener. Today he showed once again that he is very much cut out for this level as he waded into the Pakistani attack scoring a blazing double century to bring India on an even kneel with Pakistan as the hosts finished the day 379 for six, still 191 adrift of Pakistan's first innings total of 570 on day three of the third and final Test at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here.The day belonged to Sehwag. He didn't allow the Pakistan bowlers to settle down. Every time Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq rung the bowling changes, the Delhi Bomber would take the attack to them and rattle them. He cut, drove, pull with élan to leave the visitors clueless. The Delhi swashbuckler who brought up his 10th Test hundred in the post-lunch session, had to endure the early loss of his opening partner-Gautam Gambhir who fell to Kaneria, caught behind the wicket for 24. Local boy Rahul Dravid was in sublime touch picking a few boundaries before he fell largely due to his own indiscretion. He attempted an over-ambitious sweep off Kaneria and was adjudged lbw for 22. Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar in search of his record-making 35th hundred, started proceedings in a positive fashion getting the measure of the Pakistan attack quickly. He cracked seven sweetly-timed boundaries before throwing it away. He went for expansive drive on the off-side but only managed to sky a simple catch to Younis Khan off part-timer Shahid Afridi.VVS Laxman joined Sehwag and the pair mixed caution with aggression to maintain the vice-like grip on the Pakistani bowlers. Laxman took his time to get his eye in and the calm approach of the stylish Hyderabadi enabled Sehwag to play his natural game as he scored more freely to close in on a double century in the post-tea session.The right-hander reached his double hundred in his own inimitable style. He went for a big heave on the off-side off Kaneria but misjudged the line completely even as the ball ballooned up high in the air but luckily it fell in a no man's land area triggering a standing ovation from the Chinnaswamy crowd.Few minutes later off the same Sehwag brought an end to his extended Holi celebration as he was foxed by Kaneria getting a leading edge while trying to work the ball away, offering a return catch to the bowler.His marathon knock of 201 contained 262 balls, 28 fours and two sixes.Pumped up by Sehwag's dismissal, Kaneria got rid of skipper Ganguly having him stumped by Akmal for one to extend his dry run with the bat.Keeper Dinesh Kaarthick joined forces with Laxman and the duo looked to play out the day when the latter perished. Kaarthick departed executing a well-timed drive off Sami only to see Asif Kamal plucking a good catch. Kaarthick made 10.VVS Laxman grew in confidence and solidified the lower-order with a unbeaten half-century (51). Giving him company was Irfan Pathan on nought at close. A lot depends on how the Laxman-Pathan partnership prosper on Sunday if India have to move closer to the Pakistan's first innings total of 569. At the moment though it looks a tall order but knowing Laxman one could sense that the game is heading for a draw.
No comments:
Post a Comment