Cricketing history is rife with numerous examples of what not to do. One such thing is not to invite the opposition to bat after winning the toss on a feather bed of a pitch. This is especially not to be done if the opposition is India and its batsmen have been under scrutiny for a long time. After all we are still the best batting side, on paper to say the least.

But Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar decided to learn it the hard way. He invited India to bat on a pitch where even a half decent batsman just needs to stay at the wicket and the runs will come. And the result is there for all to see. India declared at 610/3 on the second day of the test, making sure that Dav Whatmore would like to forget his last test in charge quickly.

However, on any pitch it takes a lot of application and mental strength to score runs. Especially, if one has been out for a king pair of ducks in the previous test. And that is what Wasim Jaffer set about rectifying. In the company of Dinesh Karthik, the Mumbai opener scored his fourth test ton. What is it with Jaffer and good batting tracks? He seems to have found a penchant for scoring tons whenever such an opportunity presents itself. The last one was on a similar track in the West Indies, when he scored a double hundred. Talk about opportunities and we know who the current ‘perfect opportunist’ is in the current Indian team. Dinesh Karthik’s rise has been nothing short of remarkable, especially after he lost his place in the playing eleven to Dhoni. He got his chance in South Africa when the team was struggling and got to play the third test because of Sehwag’s poor form. He made an impression there and again his selection for this tour has also been Sehwag’s (un)doing.

That this tour has been ill planned is no more a doubt. In searing heat, the players have been made to toil and without any rhyme or reason, especially when already we have a heavily loaded calendar this fall. Kudos to the players, who are just getting on with their job. But it is beginning to take its toll on the players’ fitness. After batting through the day, the two opening batsmen had to retire ill, under the effects of the burning sun. Karthik went first when in his 80s but Jaffer persevered at bit more to complete his century. Though before the day was over he too, had retired to the coolness of the dressing room. India ended day 1 at 326 for no loss with Dravid on 88 and Tendulkar just beginning to settle down.

But what the two young batsmen couldn’t do, the stalwarts of Indian cricket did. Dravid batted out the first day while Tendulkar was on the field the whole of the second day, giving ample justification that both of them were not only in the best of forms but also were physically fit for the coming season, which could only be good news for Indian cricket. The Indian captain looked in great hurry as he scored his runs at a strike rate of over 70 while the other centurions just about touched 60. it was beyond doubt that he wanted to make amends for the false shot he played in the first test. He finally departed for 129. Tendulkar however went on to complete his 37th test century and putting some considerable distance between himself and Ponting. Side by side silencing his critics, atleast till the England tour, where he will still have a lot to play for, surprisingly after all these years.

Dinesh Karthik came out to bat again on the second day after Dravid’s dismissal and alongwith Tendulkar, took India to a position of strength. The just-married young lad also took hold of this wonderful opportunity to score his maiden test century, being cheered on by his wife. Its almost certain that he will be partnering Jaffer in the first test against England. After he departed playing the same shot that got him out in the previous match, a hook shot, Ganguly walked in and simply put walked out. When the rest of the batsmen were making merry, Ganguly failed. But Dhoni didn’t as he provided the last finish to the batsmen s efforts with a valiant 50 off just 51 balls.

Indian batsmen made history on the second day, the top four making centuries in the same innings, a feat never achieved before in test cricket. And all four complemented each other perfectly to set up the match for India. While Jaffer was fluent, Karthik was working hard for his runs. On the other hand, Dravid was aggressive while Sachin was just content in grinding out the Bangladeshi bowling. Together they took India to a mammoth 600 plus total. But a final touch was required. And Zaheer didn’t disappoint.

In the last session of the day, the Indian spearhead reduced the opposition batsmen to pulp with his new ball. At one stage Bangladesh were 7/4, Bashar and Ashraful being the biggest culprits of not using their experience on a placid track. Before the day ended, Anil Kumble showed that he had recovered just fine, without losing his appetite for wickets as he broke Rajin Saleh’s defiance. From 58/5, this match can only go one place. Any other would be nothing but disaster for India.

Via: Cricinfo