Exhilarating Cricket Series

This series between India and Pakistan had many great moments which will be cherished by supporters of both nations for a long time. The series started with belligerence of Sehwag who smashed a brilliant 173 but his innings was matched by resilience and defiance of Kamran Akmal who scored one of the best innings under pressure to salvage a well earned draw for Pakistan after they had their backs to the wall. Balaji was a revelation claiming 9 wickets in first test with superb line and length along with Kaneria who impressed every one through his six wicket haul against best players of spin.

Things heated up in the next test at Kolkata called the city of joy. Now it was turn of Rahul dravid to show case his greatness. He surely did show his class by stroking centuries in each innings which is surely a rare and great feat in Test match cricket. Sachin Tendulkar during this test match scored 10000 which was another shinning moment in his illustrious career. Younis Khan showed great determination to rise from slump in form to stroke a fine 147. Yohuana also showed his class and further confirmed his reputation as one of the most elegant stroke makers in modern day cricket but after their record breaking partnership of over 200 Pakistan lost their way and folded 14 short of India’s first innigs total. Karthik followed foot steps of kamran akmal and stroked a determined 93 to feature in a match winnig partnership with dravid in the second innings but really it was kumble who destroyed Pakistan on final day on a crumbling wicket. He grabbed 7/63 to inspire India to 1-0 lead in three test match series.

Now attention moved toward Banglore which is called Silicon Valley of India. Mood in Indian camp was upbeat while pride of Pakistan was badly hurt by defeat at Kolkata and they were determined to put things right. Inzamam playing in his hundered test rose to the occasion and stroked a classy 184 and along with Younis Khan featured in a huge partnership of over 300 runs after Pakistan was reduced to 7 for 2. Inzamam unfortunately missed his double ton but it was Younis who carried Pakistan’s innings by stroking a epic 267. After posting a huge score of 570 on the board Pakistan aimed to put preasure on India but virender sehwag had other ideas. He stroked a magnificent double hundered to continue his good form in the series. But after his dismissal Indians lost their way and folded up at the score of 449 conceding a lead of 121 to Pakistan. Pakistan came out all guns blazing with Shahid afridi leading the show with a 26 ball fifty. Younis khan again featured with a fine 84 along with opener Yasir Hameed who stroked an elegant 76. This boosted Pakistan’s total to 261 and India was required to chase a improbable target of 383 on the final day. Virender sehwag promised much but after his brilliant run out Indian batsmen succumbed to spin and guile of shahid afridi, arshad khan and kaneria along with Sami who bowled with good pace. This determined effort allowed Pakistan to level a truly absorbing series

It was a series of fluctuatating fortunes and so 1-1 was a fair result. It really lived up to its expectation and if you analyze it by level of performances it was one of the best test match series of recent times. During course of this series both teams maintained a run rate of over 3 signifying their intentions to play positive cricket. Over 300 runs were scored on most occasions in a day but bowlers also took wickets at crucial junctures. Both teams showed immense character to come from precarious position to display extraordinary comebacks. Another encouraging thing during this series was that there was capacity crowd on all five days of all the test matches. They obviously supported the home team but crowds at Mohali and Bangalore appreciated good cricket while Kolkata was a one sided affair. The umpiring standard it must be said was below par with both teams suffering as a result but Pakistan suffered due to some decisions which were really dubious although Sachin deserved to feel aggrieved when was victim of a shocking decision by Bucknor. The relations between two teams was exemplary on and off the field and game was played in good spirit. The pitches were according to history of pitches in sub continent. They were great for batting first up but as matches progressed they took turn although seam bowlers who were prepared to bowl in the channel got some reward. The wicket at Mohali was a seamer friendly track and seam bowlers enjoyed greatly on the first morning but as match went on it turned into a batting paradise.

Both teams gained lots of positives from this test series. Sehwag was brilliant for India with his swash buckling batting style. He has emerged into one of the best openers of modern era. Dravid was like a rock at Kolkata and really was the prized scalp every time for Pakistan. Kumble was relentless as ever and won them match for India at Kolkata on a crumbling wicket. Balaji was the best seam bowler from both sides. He swung the ball and maintained a great line and length through out. Tendulkar wasn’t able to notch up his 35th century. Ganguly had a wretched series with the bat and was under a lot of scrutiny. Younis Khan was the star for Pakistan with his impressive knocks in last two tests after slump in form at Mohali. Kaneria emerged into improved bowler with highest number of wickets in the series. Shahid Afridi played a key role with both bat and ball and finally Inzamam evolved as a captain and was consistent with the bat through out the series. Pakistan is now an upbeat side while India would be bitterly disappointed after leading 1-0