Re: India/Pakistan series - Daily Diary
Rahul's 2nd test day 3 review:
Pakistan had India on the mat and than India took to counter attack and got out of trouble on day 3, though they are clearly not in any case out of trouble yet.
Dravid and Laxman ensured that India doesn’t have any blushes, though all the prediction on Yuvraj came true. It was again proved that if you are made bigger than life every body goes after you. Sachin is going through this, everybody wanted him out from Pakistan side. Shoaib bowled him dream spell. As well he walked while not out since he has reputation to keep. That brought the trouble for India, and cheer for Pakistan. First time in this series we looked close to walking towards to a result. Than came a partnership, that proved the think tank right of picking up 5 bowlers. They proved that faith reposed to them and played first out the skin and than like mature batsmen to take India out of trouble. They still need atleast 50+ runs from this pair, infact if India want to breathe easy they have to come close to Pakistan’s innings score. Since pitch is doing something. As well with Pakistan as of now short of two batsmen will feel jittery going to bat second time.
I will like to spare a thought or two for Shoaib, who I watched for sometime and clearly he is bowling well, he is bowling his heart out. It’s just that he has pitches those aren’t giving him much as well batsmen who are more accomplished or he could/ can have a spell to making an impact on this series anytime. New bowler Asif looks accomplished, its his start and Pakistan establishment need to preserve him, they have done better job of this than Indians, though lately that’s not be the case. So watch out and nurture him once they have got one.
At the end of the day Dhoni showed why he is rated so highly. Dhoni played an inning that could compare with best of Afridi, followed by another session of batting during close of the play that can compare with resilience of Dravid.
Fourth day is very crucial for this test, Indian’s are crawling back and another one good session can make them pressurize Pakistan. As well a good session for Pakistan and India will be back in trouble.