Jaffer on song, unbeaten on 192
Wasim Jaffer was clearly the star of the day on Day 1 of the 2nd Test between India and Pakistan at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Jaffer hit an unbeaten 192 which helped India reach a massive score of 352 for the loss of 3 wickets.
When stumps were called early due to bad light, Jaffer and local hero Sourav Ganguly (17) were still at the crease.
The day began well for India once skipper Kumble won the toss and elected to bat. India suffered an early setback when Dinesh Karthik once again failed to get a start in this Test series. Karthik fell to Sohail Tanvir’s first ball for just 1. But Pakistan’s celebrations ended just there as Jaffer and Rahul Dravid made sure they batted through the first session without any hiccups.
Dravid supported Jaffer ably at the other end with a solid 35 going into lunch. Jaffer, on the other hand, played some elegant shots and looked in good form throughout for his 65 in the first session.
Post-lunch, Jaffer continued to torment the beleaguered Pakistani bowling attack. The only consolation for the visitors in the second session was the solitary wicket of the ever-dependable Dravid. India’s batting mainstay compiled a well-made 50 before being dismissed by Kaneria off a very faint edge.
Nothing seemed to deter Jaffer though as he played some exquisite shots delighting the fans. Sachin Tendulkar walked in at the fall of Dravid and remained unbeaten until Tea was taken. The third session saw the master blaster playing some crisp shots on his way to a classy 82 before being cleverly bowled by Danish Kaneria.
Jaffer, in the meanwhile, plundered boundaries at will and almost completed a double hundred. His 192 was studded with 32 hits to the fence.
Pakistan had a poor day in the field, giving away easy runs and also dropped Tendulkar on 28. The team’s fortunes rest on Shoaib Akhtar’s success with the ball. But the speedster bowled only nine overs making the bowling attack look vulnerable against a supreme Indian batting line-up.
Day 1 belonged completely to India and Pakistan will hope to make amends tomorrow. A double century is on the cards for the very deserving Wasim Jaffer. India will look to capitalize on this fantastic score and bat only once on the Eden wicket.