Cutting it fine on the declaration

Then again, on a pitch that became for a while progressively easier, working out the overs needed to finish off the opposition and win by an innings, or possibly knock off what runs are required, creates its own mystery of when to move the correct chess pieces. There is also the matter of disturbing the concentration levels and psyche of the opposition batsmen.

How this is achieved in Rawalpindi is up to the pressure Ganguly and the bowlers can generate Thursday. Overcoming big targets also has its dangers. The 375 lead is big enough after India were bowled out for 600 and with Pakistan at 49 for two, the psychological pressure is going to be heavy enough.

Okay, with six and a half sessions remaining, Ganguly no doubt feels there was some vindication in batting on. There was a discussion with coach John Wright, no doubt pointing out a possible 14 overs were left on day three and a further 180 for the match. It should be enough, if the weather holds, to wrap it up before lunch on day five and claim an historic 2-1 series victory.

At least he has the bowlers to mount an imposing assault on the Pakistan fortress to achieve his aims.

And, unlike Inzamam, will be trying to make it happen. It was embarrassing at times to see Inzi standing around like a spare part in a cluttered junk yard wondering how to end the agony of what became Rahul Dravid’s record Test innings of 270.

With Shoaib Akhtar missing through an alleged back injury and the bowling attack generally lacking inspiration and imagination, the lack of penetration did not worry India’s lower order too much. All the hard work had been done by Dravid on Tuesday and his runmaking ability was the sort of statement needed to increase Pakistan’s nightmare.

What did surprise early on was Inzi’s lack of imagination to put either Ganguly or Dravid under pressure at the start of the day. Pakistan’s strategy, however, can be blamed on going into the game with four recognised bowlers.

Not only did they get it wrong, the risk of a bowler breaking down or being injured is too great. It was a gamble that not only returned to haunt their gameplan, it also indicated just how flawed have been their overall tactics, based as they were on winning the toss.

More interesting during his monumental innings was how Dravid went past Sachin Tendulkar’s Test average — 58.40 compared to the 56 by the Mumbai Machine. Sure Dravid had luck, being dropped after South African umpire Rudi Koertzen ruled in his favour when on 214 he hit an inside edge on his left pad and was picked up at forward short leg.

Poor Danish Kaneria; it’s a cruel game when it works against you.