Chase thriller

As the teams returned to their hotel, lightning and the sound of thunder late in the evening reminded us of its threat to spoil a great game. Going into the final Bangalore Test with the series still up for grabs will be more advantageous for Pakistan than India.

Chasing a record total of 422 for a win, Pakistan who were hoping that there batsmen would replicate the Mohali performance on day five at the Eden, are now visualising the possibility of a win. Pakistan had a brilliant start to their run chase what with Afridi blazing away to a half-century, reducing the equation to 327 runs in 90 overs on the last day.

But it will take a monumental performance from the remaining Pakistan batters because Afridi is now gone. The scoring rate will dip and a typical Test match will ensue.

India will have to make sure they don8217;t waste this opportunity by picking early wickets tomorrow besides praying that the weather stays clear.

No team can make the same mistake twice of leaving it a little too late.

This morning the Indian team yet again dug themselves in a hole. And once again Rahul Dravid had to pull them out of it. Carving another century in the second innings, he became only the second Indian batsman to score centuries in both innings of a Test twice; the other being Sunil Gavaskar who has done it thrice.

With Sourav Ganguly failing yet again and VVS Laxman retiring injured after being smacked on the face by a Mohammad Sami projectile, India seemed in spot of bother inside the first hour of play this morning.

Sami spitting fire in his opening spell threatened to run through the Indian lower order. Picking up from yesterday, his bowling today was lethal, his bouncers well-directed and his length immaculate. There was a method to his bowling that was missing in Mohali.

The sight of Rahul Dravid at the crease was a source of comfort for the Indian camp, but the other end could still bleed. Wicketkeeper Dinesh Kaarthick, who has a sense of urgency in his walk, calmed the nerves in the dressing room with his exuberant stroke-making.

Dravid continued to play his natural game, while Kaarthick did his little number at the other. Playing the spinners and the pacers with the full face of the bat and more importantly never failing to take full toll of the loose deliveries, Kaarthick gave Dravid the stand that saw India take a sizeable lead of 422. His innings was terminated just seven short of a century, he thoroughly deserved to get.

It seemed the match was in the bag for India, but Afridi, the man whose game is best left unexplained batted with the brutality of a heavy-weight boxer and set up the match for Pakistan.

The ball didn8217;t turn much today but according to Dravid as the ball gets older and softer, it will turn more. That should make life tough for the Pakistani batsmen with Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh giving the ball a rip on a fifth day wicket.

THE DAY IN A MINUTE

FIRST SESSION
O-31.3, R-82, W-1
India are shaken by the stinging blow just above the left-eye brow of Laxman. The swollen eye only seemed to inspire Kaarthick and Dravid

SECOND SESSION
O-27.5, R-116, W-2
The inspired effort continues as Kaarthick shows a lot of spunk in taking on the Pakistan bowlers as he danced down the track at will

THIRD SESSION
O-31.1, R-171, W-4
The most interesting session of play as Indian late-order and Afridi have fun as the sun begins to the set in the background

Prime Number
4.75 The rate at which began their chase for 422. Setting the pace in the 20 overs of play possible today was Afridi. Back in the role of a Test opener after a long time, Afridi played uninhibited cricket as he took on the bowlers. At the other end Umar calmly collected his runs as Pakistan raced along

Spell Check
DANISH KANERIA
O-11, M-0, R-60, W-2
He was supposed to be India8217;s main threat but in the post-lunch session Dravid and Kaarthick first then a chastened Laxman and bright Pathan took him for some easy runs as India mde merry