The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Both captains sound confident on eve of Test

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 16, 2005

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Sport - Cricket

Both captains sound confident on eve of Test

By S. Sabanayakan

KOLKATA, MARCH 15. Amidst the heat and humidity, India and Pakistan braced up for the second Test match beginning at the Eden Gardens here on Wednesday.

It was a case of so near yet so far for India at Mohali. "We should have won the Test after controlling it for four days. At the same time credit should be given to the two Pakistani batsmen, (Abdul Razzaq and Kamran Akmal), for playing so well,'' Sourav Ganguly said at the pre-match press conference. He ruled out any after effects of the Mohali draw on the Indian team.

The Indian skipper said India would like to win this Test. "we will surely like to win it this time. I am sure Pakistan will also like to do the same. This Pakistani side is young and competitive one. Each member of the team will be eager to perform and deliver,'' he said.

Ganguly said pressure would be on both teams. "The side which is able to handle the pressure well, will have a large say on the outcome of the Test,'' he said.

When pointed out that he greenish tinge on the pitch was last seen in 1999 that too against Pakistan in the Asian Test championship, Ganguly said there was a bright chance of India going into the match with three pacers. Yet, the skipper did not rule out the chances of playing off-spinner Harbanjan Singh, who was sorely missed on the final day of the Mohali Test. "One will have to wait till tomorrow to see the team composition, '' he said.

On leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, Ganguly said he was one of the better bowlers in the series so far. "We are not really worried over his bowling. We are adept in handling him. He may have taken six wickets but then the Indian batsmen also took 150 runs off his bowling,'' he pointed out.

Inspiration

Rival captain Inzamam-ul-Haq too exuded confidence. He can also take solace from the fact that Pakistan never lost a Test at this venue. The lone victory Pakistan achieved was in the Asian Test championship six years back. Speaking to the reporters after the team's practice session, he said: "We plan to watch that Test on video later in the day. It will certainly inspire us. We have also not forgotten that we have never lost a Test at this venue. It is a lucky ground for us.''

Pakistan was likely to miss the services of seamer Naved-ul-Hassan, indicated Inzamam. Naved was suffering from a shoulder injury sustained during Monday's practice session. The captain also indicated a change in the top of the batting order.

Inzamam, termed as the quietest international captain by West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor, warned his team against any complacency. "The first Test gave us the confidence. We know we can achieve better results if we continue to play well. We still have to work hard to win this Test,'' he said.

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