The Hindu : Sport : Younis Khan piles on the agony

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 26, 2005

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Sport

Younis Khan piles on the agony

By S. Dinakar

DOUBLE DELIGHT: Younis Khan became the first Pakistan player to score a double hundred on Indian soil. It was also the highest individual Test score in Bangalore. — Photo: V. Ganesan

BANGALORE, MARCH 25. When most thought Younis Khan was staring down a long, dark and empty stretch after the Mohali Test, the Pakistan vice-captain saw in his failures an opportunity to unlock the gate leading to success. The key lay in his mind.

When most thought Harbhajan Singh would be consumed by self- doubts and a crisis of confidence after being reported again for suspect action, the off-spinner bounced back from an ordinary first day here to earn an affectionate pat from his skipper at the end of the Pakistan innings.

Sports is as much about conquering adversity as performing on the big stage and Younis' mammoth 267, the highest individual Test score by a visiting batsman in India, and Harbhajan's single Friday's spell of 29.5-7-79-6 were the high points of the second day in the third TVS Cup Test at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The Pakistan innings concluded at 570, and India, in reply, was 55 without loss, with Virender Sehwag on a typically hectic 39, and Gautam Gambhir on 13. The surface still favours the batsmen, although there was evidence of turn on day two.

When most would just play out time, Sehwag blazed away, off-driving, on-driving and whipping Abdul Razzaq to the fence, but, once almost played on to the same bowler. Sami tested him with short-pitched deliveries with a leg-side cordon in place, but Sehwag survived. In the one over that Arshad Khan sent down, there was some bounce and spin for the tall off-spinner.

Pakistan was jolted early on when Lakshmipathy Balaji, like on Thursday, struck with his first delivery of the day. This time around the prize — Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq — was much bigger. A ball of fuller length straightened after pitching and Inzamam, attempting a stroke across the line, was trapped in front. His 184 had been a magnificent innings.

Effective methods

Then Younis controlled the innings, and in the process discovered greater powers of concentration within himself. He does not quite have the grace and elegance of Inzamam, but the 27-year-old Younis stayed put at the wicket, more than just surviving sessions on a hot, physically draining day, and left the Indian bowlers frustrated. His defence might have seemed ungainly on occasions but his methods were effective.

Like on day one, he found the gaps between point and cover, off either foot, directed the ball through mid-wicket, and used to sweep to good effect, once even reverse sweeping Anil Kumble, operating from round the wicket.

This was by a distance his longest Test innings, and he arrived at the crease after just seven deliveries had been sent down in the innings. He departed to a standing ovation, the ninth batsman out well into the post-tea session, picked up at covers from what appeared a Harbhajan doosra.

He had turned a Kumble delivery fine in the post-lunch session to reach his maiden Test double hundred in 396 balls and his celebration reflected his triumph.

Partnerships are the heart of any innings and Younis was involved in four of them here — 324 in 533 balls (third wicket with Inzamam), 84 in 123 (fourth with Youhana), 58 in 96 (seventh with Kamran Akmal), and 61 in 122 (eighth with Sami). It was a responsible effort by Younis in a match Pakistan needs to win.

There was just one half chance in his effort when he, on 178, edged the hard-working Balaji between the first and second slips soon after lunch. Balaji's partner Irfan Pathan too operated much better on the second day, finally getting the ball to swing back into the right-hander, which is his greatest strength. Kumble's leg-stump line did not prove beneficial to him though.

Gutsy show

For India, Harbhajan responded to a trying situation in a typically gutsy fashion. The off-spinner resorted to the time-tested method of flight and guile. But for the occasional doosra, he relied on his off-spin and a teasing off-stump line.

The sardar is also much the better bowler when he is slower through the air, allowing the ball to drift. He foxed Youhana, who has displayed flair and dash during his 37, into attempting to cut a delivery that was too full in length and Dinesh Kaarthick held a sharp catch.

Harbhajan continued to be among the wickets. After snaring Asim Kamal on the sweep, the off-spinner out-thought Abdul Razzaq with a flighted off-spinner to gleefully accept the return catch. Ganguly tried out different field settings including having six men on the leg-side for Harbhajan bowling round the wicket to the right-hander. The cover, as a bait, was left unmanned.

Before tea, the off-spinner got a delivery, given plenty of air, to spin back into Kamran Akmal's stumps, even as the batsman shaped for a stroke through point. The spunky character had a near-capacity crowd behind him as well. The day belonged to him and Younis.

Fittingly, watching Younis' effort was that great innings builder from Pakistan Hanif Mohammad. The marathon knock must have pleased him no end.

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