Laxman and Dhoni rescue India
Venkatsai Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni both scored composed half-centuries to pull India out of trouble on the second day of the opening Test against Pakistan in New Delhi.
India’s VVS Laxman, left, is congratulated on his half-century by opponent Shoaib Akhtar, right
After dismissing Pakistan for just 231 early on day two, India slumped from 71 for 1 to a shaky 93 for 5 in the space of seven overs before Dhoni and Laxman counter-attacked to put on 115 for the sixth wicket.
India reached 228 for 6 at stumps, just three runs behind Pakistan’s first innings score with four wickets in hand and Laxman still at the crease on 57 with new captain Anil Kumble on seven.
After posting a modest total, the tourists bounced back into the match when fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Sohail Tanvir shared four quick wickets to put India on the back foot in the afternoon.
However wicket-keeper Dhoni restored the balance with his hard and clean hitting under pressure in the last session, outscoring Laxman during their big stand and reaching his seventh half-century before his experienced partner.
Dhoni eventually fell for 57 after attempting a big shot off leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, but not timing it properly and being caught behind.
Laxman looked solid at the other end, patiently waiting for loose deliveries to punish, and there was never a moment of uncertainty during his 30th half-century.
Laxman’s stand with Dhoni came at the right time for India, whose top-order batsmen found Akhtar and debutant Tanvir too hot to handle even on a good pitch.
Top order collapse
Akhtar rattled the hosts when he had Dinesh Karthik caught behind for nine in an incisive opening spell before trapping Wasim Jaffer leg-before for 32 in his second spell.
The hosts suffered a setback when Sachin Tendulkar was run out for just one when he went for a second run only for batting partner Rahul Dravid to send him back.
Tendulkar slipped and then turned back, but failed to beat a Mohammad Yousuf throw to the wicket-keeper.
Tanvir, a left-arm seamer with a wrong-footed action, removed former captains Sourav Ganguly for eight and Dravid for 38 in successive overs, with both batsmen out bowled playing a wrong line.
Misbah falls early
Earlier, Pakistan added 21 to their overnight total of 210 for 8 before being all out for 231 with tail-ender Mohammad Sami remaining unbeaten on 28.
India were fortunate to break a stubborn 87-run stand for the ninth wicket between Sami and middle-order batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, who was run out for an impressive 82 after adding 11 runs to his overnight score.
Misbah tried to beat a Kartik throw from point, but both his feet and bat were in the air when the ball hit the stumps at the non-striker’s end.
India would have been relieved to see the back of Misbah, who had defied the hosts’ attack for more than five hours, hitting one six and six fours in his 243-ball knock.
Leg-spinner Kumble ended the innings when he bowled last-man Kaneria for a duck to finish with first innings figures of 4 for 38 in his first Test as captain