Yousuf loses his rag, and a familiar rescue act

So, another Test appears to be going the Kolkata route, though the pitch at the Chinnaswamy Stadium could yet have a few surprises in store. The odd ball is shooting through, and batting in the third and fourth innings could almost be as difficult as it was at Mumbai in 2004, when the two strongest batting line-ups in the world lasted less than three days.

Once again, Pakistan can thank Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq for a relatively healthy position. Both men may have been granted lives by the umpires, but they made it count with doughty batting against a willing but limited Indian attack. Younis was well on course for another century until his fondness for the reverse sweep led him astray, and it was left to Misbah to bat out time.

Ishant Sharma was impressive with the second new ball and may look back ruefully at a couple of leg-before shouts that might have been given on another day. Irfan Pathan too bowled tidily, and at good pace to continue his rehabilitation at this level. Harbhajan Singh was a mixed bag, and Anil Kumble below par on a day when India posed questions without ever threatening to run through the opposition.

At some point tomorrow, they will also establish a world record for the most extras in an innings. If you looked at the tally of 31 byes [70 extras in total], you'd think Dinesh Karthik had been shocking behind the stumps, but in reality, there was little he could have done about some of the grubbers that whizzed past him on the leg side.

On the plus side, India will be relieved that Younis and Mohammad Yousuf weren't allowed to do too much damage. Of the pairs who have played more than 30 Tests together, only Hobbs-Sutcliffe and Langer-Ponting average more per partnership than the Yo-Yo combination, and they were on course for another century stand when Younis decided to reverse-sweep Harbhajan out of the rough.

Yousuf's dismissal was perhaps the day's main talking point. In the build-up to it, he was seen walking to gully to have heated words with Kumble, and there were more pleasantries exchanged with Harbhajan before an extraordinarily loose shot to Pathan cost him his wicket. If sledging did take place, and Yousuf's reaction suggested it did, it was most surprising that a player of his experience fell for one of the oldest tricks in the book. Kumble's pumped-first celebration as he walked off suggested as much.

If Pakistan can get within a 100 runs of the Indian total, and not take up too much time doing so, there could yet be an interesting twist in this tale. India are still in control, but they'll be taking nothing for granted at a venue where they haven't won since the likes of Dravid and Ganguly made their debut.

Comments

[Indiancricketfan]

I would say the Kolkata pitch was bad, but there has been plenty in the Bangalore pitch. The bowlers have simply failed to exploit it. Add to that, the ineffectiveness of Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh is extremely worrying. These were supposed to be tailor made conditions for them, huge first innings score, last day pitch.Yet, they have had little impact.

[Dileep]

Actually, it's clear proof that both pitches were dodo-dead. If we want to kill Test cricket off, no better way than to produce pitches like this.

[Indiancricketfan]

Its actually shocking to see India not able to dismiss Pakistan cheaply twice, after scoring 600+ totals in the first innings. And its not as though the Pakistan top order piled on the runs on both the occasions, its been the middle order that has rescued them. It is clear proof that India has stepped off the gas on the both times.

[avinash subramaniam]

a gentle reminder of the request i had made to you to try and help me get in touch with people who might want me to write for them about cricket. sorry to bother you, but i promise i shan't ask you again. thank you and, as always, enjoy reading your writing.

[v]

Wonder what really ticked off Yousuf so much, got to say the coverage by Neo sports is really pathetic, there are times when they start the advertisements even before the last ball has been bowled. Less said about the commentary team the better.