The Hindu : Sport : Gambhir and Dravid put India in command

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Dec 18, 2004

Sport

Sport

Gambhir and Dravid put India in command

By Sanjay Rajan

THE ALL-NATION WALL: Rahul Dravid, who scored his 18th century (145 not out) on Friday at Chittagong, Bangladesh, became the first batsman to compile a hundred in all 10 Test playing countries. -- Photo: V.V. Krishnan

CHITTAGONG, DEC. 17. It possibly has more to do with a batsman's psyche. A maiden century not only confirms that one is good at a particular level, but, equally so, provides him with the confidence which every player invariably feels at getting off the mark in each innings.

Having missed what would have been his maiden Test hundred in only his third innings, in the drawn first Test against South Africa at Kanpur last month, young Gautam Gambhir made no mistake when an opportunity presented itself this time around.

On the opening day of the second Test for the Videocon Cup between India and Bangladesh at the M.A. Aziz Stadium here on Friday, the left-handed opener scored an impressive 139 and put on 259 for the second wicket with Rahul Dravid, who recorded his 18th century.

Opting to bat, India finished at a commanding 334 for two, leaving the home attack a wreck.

Record

Dravid, playing in his 86th Test, holds the Indian record for the most matches on the trot. Sachin Tendulkar's 84 matches was the earlier mark.

Dravid's strength of endurance actually reflects on his batting. Not to forget his enthusiasm. He said: "It is a question of one's will of mind and body."

The Indian vice-captain had made his debut at Lord's in 1996. For one who has succeeded against the best of attacks, he did not let his concentration lapse for even a moment against the minnows here.

He has now scored centuries in every Test-playing nation, the break-up being six in India, three in England, two in New Zealand, and one each in Australia, Pakistan, South Africa, the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Bangladesh.

MEMORABLE OUTING: It was a dream come true for Gautam Gambhir as he scored his maiden Test century at the M. A. Aziz Stadium on Friday. — Photo: V. V. Krishnan

Gambhir's innings can be largely divided into three phases. He plundered his way to a half-century (had struck six 4s in eight deliveries off the pacers at a stage), displayed control on his way to a century and, had looked every bit solid and ready for more in the third session, before becoming 17-year-old debutant pacer, Nazmul Hossain's first wicket.

Virender Sehwag was dismissed early. His cut off Mashrafe Mortaza was held waist-high by skipper Habibul Bashar at first slip.

Dravid came to the crease in the fifth over. The Bangladesh fielders were on a leather hunt thereafter, which could well be the tale over the next two days considering the mood that Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar were in, and not to forget that V.V.S. Laxman, Sourav Ganguly, Dinesh Kaarthick are yet to bat.

Mortaza looked good, Talha Jubair enthusiastic and Nazmul promising. Only, the pitch turned out to be a featherbed. Clearly, Bangladesh will have to rely on its two left-arm spinners, Md. Rafique and Manjarul Islam, for breakthrough.

Gambhir had a reprieve when on 44. It was a difficult chance for Islam at first slip off Rafique. The same bowler had Dravid playing tentatively when on 19. The resultant edge, however, flew beyond the reach of silly point fielder Aftab Ahmed.

The experienced Rafique operated from around the wicket (diagonal) to Dravid and pegged away at a leg-and-middle line. Bowling over the wicket to Gambhir, he had four men in single-saving positions before the left-hander gave the charge.

Mortaza was forced to cut down both his run up and pace after hurting his knee while fielding. There was little he could do anyhow against a pair that was clearly on top. India was 106 for one at lunch and 237 for one at tea.

Dravid donned the senior pro's role to perfection, guiding Gambhir as the latter moved into the 90s. The left-hander possesses a range of shots on the off-side, uses his feet to spinners and packs a punch into his strokes off the back-foot.

Maiden century

Gambhir stepped out and on-drove Rafique for a boundary. A square cut to the fence off Islam brought him one short of a hundred, which he reached the following delivery with a single to mid-on.

Dravid brought up his century with a cover-drive to the fence off Jubair.

Tendulkar walked in to a huge ovation. He displayed fluency of strokes. It does seem like he might carry on from where he left off in Dhaka.

Scoreboard

INDIA — 1st innings:

V. Sehwag c Bashar
b Mortaza
10

(19m, 16b, 2x4)

G. Gambhir b Nazmul 139

(286m, 196b, 19x4)

R. Dravid (batting) 145

(341m, 275b, 21x4)

S. Tendulkar (batting) 36

(75m, 54b, 6x4)

Extras (b-1, w-2, nb-1) 4

— —

Total (for two wkts.) 334

— —

Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Sehwag), 2-273 (Gambhir).

Bangladesh bowling: M. Mortaza 16-3-38-1, Nazmul 16.3-3-66-1 (w-1), Jubair 14-1-72-0, Rafique 27-1-94-0 (nb-1), M. Islam 12.3-0-49-0, Ahmed 4-0-14-0 (w-1).

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