India-Pakistan Test 2 Preview

All eyes on the pitch as India, Pak ready for the 2nd test - After the Lahore test run-glut on a flat docile pitch, the Faisalabad pitch now apparently 'shares with Sehwag, Dravid, Inzamam and Shoaib, headline status.'

And this quip from an article by G. Rajaraman in the Outlook, says it all... 'Good from far....far from good'!

I saw wrist-spinner Anil Kumble returning from the nets, his pads still in place and told him "Door se dekha to thoda ghaas nazar aaya...(From the distance, it looked as if there was some grass on the wicket)." He stopped in his tracks, offered me a Mentos and even sang a part of the jingle that is part of the commercial. "So what did you say? Door se dekha to thoda ghaas nazar aaya? Paas jaakar dekho, kuch khaas nazar nahi aayega (Go closer and you will spot nothing)," he said, getting more lyrical.

On the eve of the 2nd test, Moin khan is overly pessimistic in this article - saying India gained a lot from the Lahore test, despite all the distractions with Ganguly, whereas Pakistan did not gain anything at all and in fact lost everything, including the momentum they had after the win against England! He also makes the controversial assertion about the Lahore pitch saying it was so dead because Pakistan wanted it to be so...and that

Pakistan declared their first innings at 679 and if my memory is correct, they scored something like 350 runs in under 60 overs on the second day. I think they thought that on this wicket, the ball would reverse and their pace trio would run through the Indian batting line-up that was a bit nervous due to several reasons. The home team was also banking on Danish Kaneria to pick up a few wickets on a pitch that would deteriorate because he is a big turner of the ball and has plenty of varieties that he uses intelligently. That game plan backfired simply because Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid played marvelous innings.

Given Shewag's record against Pakistan, Moin Khan expected thinks that Pakistan have an 'uphill task of preventing the flow of runs from Virender Sehwag's wood in the Faisalabad Test. The solution, apparently, is simple but the execution is difficult -- bowl as straight as possible to Sehwag and frustrate him by not allowing him to free his arms....he has also shown over the years that if he fails to penetrate into the opponent's bowling, he throws away his wicket with a silly stroke. So the best bet for Pakistan is to not allow him to score easy runs and wait for him to repeat that silly mistake.'

And yes..he also adds later in the article that Shoib should ball more yorkers, to be effective on placid pitch! Ok.. sounds simple. no? . Lets see how they execute it :)

Meanwhile, mere speculation aside that Ganguly will be dropped in place of a 5th bowler, all indications are that Ganguly will play again and it's been confirmed from the captain himself that India will persist with the 'makeshift' Shewag-Dravid opening pair atleast for now. I guess Ganguly supporters will argue that if they chose him for the first test, he has done nothing since (other than take a spectacular catch after misjudging it) to warrant dropping him!

But like Gulu Ezekiel writes:

The manner of permutations and combinations the Indian team think-tank is having to conjure up simply to open up a place for Sourav Ganguly is assuming ludicrous proportions.

His loyal Kolkata fans have sent across a signed bat to Dravid. This is apparently a peace gesture after their disgraceful behaviour towards the captain and the Indian team during the ODI against South Africa at the Eden Gardens late last year. One wonders if they will ask for it back if the team management finally takes the bit between their teeth and decides to drop him for the second Test at Faisalabad!

Gautam Gambhir and Wasim Jaffer must be wondering what they are doing on this tour if having been chosen as openers they will then be forced to cool their heels..