The third and final test match between India and Pakistan began in Bangalore today amidst the injury worries in both the camps. Kumble won the toss and chose to bat first. The ball was swinging and the batsmen were having a tough time in the middle. Mohammed Sami struck first displacing Gautam Gambhir. Shoaib Akthar went to hospital during the match to check his Back Spasm, he was cleared and was asked to take rest for the next couple of days. Then Jaffer and Dravid had a steady partnership before Arafat was brought in. Yasir's arrival marked the beginning of dismal performance by the batsmen. The pitch too aided him by keeping low at times. Dravid was dissmissed when trying to play a cut shot too close to the body off Arafat's bowling. He was caught behind for 19 runs. Jaffer soon followed him by trying to leave an incoming delivery that kept low. He was the second victim of Arafat. Later VVS Laxman tried to steady the ship along with Ganguly. But he was also bowled a low kept delivery from Yasir Arafat.
Then came Yuvaraj Singh, who replaced the injured Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Yuvi struggled before settling down. He then cleared the ropes at his own will. He along with Ganguly took India past the tea and post-tea session without much damage. Younus was forced to operate with only two strike bowlers, with Arafat and Shoaib sittting in the Pavilion. This made to make absurd bowling changes that included Yasir Hameed, Butt and for a couple of overs, the captain himself searched for a break through but in vain. Ganguly and Yuvraj relished them and they were sent all over the park. Yuvaraj reached his third test century and ganguly too reached the triple figures without much ado.
Only in the 88th over of the match Mohammed Sami got the important wicket of Yuvraj Singh. Yuvi was caught at gully when a leading edge flew off in the opposite direction. He has already made 169 valuable runs for his team before he got out. Dinesh Karthick came in and ensured that there were no further losses. At stumps Indians were 365 for 5 with Ganguly on 125 and Karthick on 3. This is the highest single day total by any team in the Indian soil. And all the three centuries of Yuvi has come against Pakistan. This is Souvrav's first back-to-back ton after ten years. So Indians are in a commanding position and should not waste away this opportunity.
Then came Yuvaraj Singh, who replaced the injured Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Yuvi struggled before settling down. He then cleared the ropes at his own will. He along with Ganguly took India past the tea and post-tea session without much damage. Younus was forced to operate with only two strike bowlers, with Arafat and Shoaib sittting in the Pavilion. This made to make absurd bowling changes that included Yasir Hameed, Butt and for a couple of overs, the captain himself searched for a break through but in vain. Ganguly and Yuvraj relished them and they were sent all over the park. Yuvaraj reached his third test century and ganguly too reached the triple figures without much ado.
Only in the 88th over of the match Mohammed Sami got the important wicket of Yuvraj Singh. Yuvi was caught at gully when a leading edge flew off in the opposite direction. He has already made 169 valuable runs for his team before he got out. Dinesh Karthick came in and ensured that there were no further losses. At stumps Indians were 365 for 5 with Ganguly on 125 and Karthick on 3. This is the highest single day total by any team in the Indian soil. And all the three centuries of Yuvi has come against Pakistan. This is Souvrav's first back-to-back ton after ten years. So Indians are in a commanding position and should not waste away this opportunity.
