KOLKATA, March 15: Rival captains Inzamamul Haq and Saurav Ganguly were making no tall claims on the eve of the crucial second Test between Pakistan and India starting at the Eden Gardens on Wednesday.
After Pakistan pulled off a stunning draw in the first Test at Mohali, both sides will now be looking to go one up in the three-match series but the two captains were not saying that in too many words.
“After Mohali, the boys have gained confidence and if we play with the same spirit we can do well here, touring captain Inzamam said while Ganguly remarked that his team would try and put pressure on Pakistan here.
“Obviously it was disappointing not to win after being in a position of dominance for four days but we would definitely try and do our best here,” said Ganguly, who will be playing in front of his hometown fans.
All-rounder Abdul Razzaq and wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal saved the Mohali match for Pakistan with a record seventh wicket stand that produced 184 runs after the side had been tottering at 257 for six wickets in the second innings on the fourth day with a lead of only 53 runs.
Pakistan, who have seamer Rana Navedul Hasan down with a shoulder injury, are certain to make changes to their side, especially after the top order let them down in the first Test.
“Yes we will make one or two changes in the batting order and in bowling but I think Younis Khan will not be dropped,” Inzamam said.
It was such a dismal show by the top order that Pakistan were reduced to 10-3 inside five overs in the second innings and it was left to Inzamam and Yousuf Youhana to build the innings before Razzaq and Kamran took over, the young keeper getting his maiden century in the match.
With the Eden Gardens pitch looking much the same as Mohali, having quite a bit of grass on it, Inzamam said they would wait till Wednesday morning before deciding on the playing XI.
“It is a good Test wicket and should help the spinners after the first two days.”
Ganguly, known as the Maharaja of Kolkata, was however more forthcoming. “There is a bright chance that we play three seamers because there is grass on the wicket.”
India played with three pacemen last week.
Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh’s chances of making the playing side would largely depend on the state of the wicket on the morning of the match, Ganguly said. “We will have a look at the wicket tomorrow and see if he is required.”
Coach John Wright had indicated on Monday that since the “Turbanator” had done well here, there was a chance of his inclusion in the team.
Harbhajan was cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after being reported for a suspect bowling action during the second and final Test against Bangladesh in December.
The Test will be significant for Indian batting genius Sachin Tendulkar, who is aiming to become the first batsman to score 35 Test hundreds and the looming 10,000 runs.
The 31-year-old is just 27 short of getting to that mark. Only Sunil Gavaskar, Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Brian Lara have gone past that milestone.
Another man, who will not be wielding a willow in the match like Tendulkar but for whom the game will be equally important is umpire Steve Bucknor, who will be standing in what will be his 100th Test.
Meanwhile, there were words of advice for Laxmipathy Balaji from his captain after the paceman who took nine wickets in the first Test, was fined by the match referee for excessive appealing.
“He has to be careful because there are certain rules and norms that have been laid down by the ICC.”
Ganguly praised leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, who shouldered most of Pakistan’s bowling burden.
“Although he bowled very well, he still went for a 150 runs. There is no doubt that he is a quality bowler and we will have to play him well again in this Test match.”
Teams
Pakistan (from): Inzamamul Haq (captain), Younis Khan (vice captain), Yousuf Youhana, Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Taufiq Umar, Yasir Hameed, Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik, Asim Kamal, Kamran Akmal, Muhammad Sami, Rana Naveedul Hasan, Danish Kaneria, Arshad Khan, Muhammad Khalil
