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Inzamam-ul-Haq met an unfortunate end, bowled by an delivery that rolled on to his stumps
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Anil Kumble proved irresistible on the fifth day, as he has so often in
the past, and sent Pakistan skidding to 226 all out, taking 7 for 63 and
giving India victory by 195 runs and a 1-0 lead in this series. Even on
the final day the Eden Gardens pitch had no demons in it, apart from the very odd ball
that either zipped low or kicked up, but the pressure Kumble exerted
ensured that the batsmen had no chance of sticking it out in the middle.
India started the day as favourites, as neither of the two options before Pakistan - scoring 327 for a victory, or surviving 90 overs for a draw - were easy to achieve. Kumble made matters worse for Pakistan when he slid the first ball of the morning down the leg side, and Younis Khan overbalanced. Dinesh Karthik's fine Test match continued as he pulled off a smart
stumping (95 for 2).
The early wicket completely changed the odds, and Inzamam-ul-Haq, who came
in next, was not his assured self. He poked and prodded, pushed and blocked, but could not get his normal flow going. And Kumble used this to full advantage, settling into a choking line and
length. After a little more than half an hour at the crease that yielded a
mere 13 runs, Inzamam was put out of his misery. He could not keep out a
quick delivery from Kumble, and the ball squirted onto the stumps via bat
and pad (115 for 3). Inzamam's wicket was undoubtedly the key for India,
and even the unperturbable John Wright had to vent some emotion, pumping
his fists on the dressing-room steps.
Just as the idle whispered that this match had shades of the
India-Pakistan Delhi Test of 1999, and that Kumble had taken all the
wickets to fall thus far, Lakshmipathy Balaji produced a high-quality
delivery that was pitched in the right spot and swung away late to get the
edge of Taufeeq Umar's bat. Umar had spent two unconvincing hours at the
crease for 35 runs (115 for 4).
Of all the batsmen who played on the final day, Yousuf Youhana appeared
the most relaxed. Although he was not his bustling, fluent self, he was firm in defence and positive in outlook. But he came across Kumble in the
mood, and one popped off the inside edge to Gautam Gambhir at forward short leg (178 for 5).
Abdul Razzaq joined Asim Kamal, Pakistan's rock-solid revival man, and
silenced an increasingly vociferous Sunday crowd with a brutal heave off
Kumble that sent the ball soaring into the stands. The blow was trademark
Razzaq, and was not so much a declaration of intent, as a gentle reminder
that Pakistan were not going to roll over and play dead. But Kumble is the
sort of man who takes every six off him personally. He struck back with a
ripping topspinner that Razzaq only manged to edge back onto his
stumps (188 for 6).
Kamal quietly compiled runs at his end, sometimes breaking the mould and
attacking the spinners when the ball was a bit full or wide. But he lacked support at the other end. When Kamran Akmal, the hero of Pakistan's rearguard in Mohali, played well inside a straight one from Harbhajan Singh and was bowled (203 for 7), the result appeared a foregone conclusion.
With tea just around the corner Kumble picked up his sixth wicket, when
Kamal attempted to flick the ball and only managed to pop it up to Mohammad Kaif, substituting for VVS Laxman, at forward short leg (214 for 8). The respite at tea proved temporary as Kumble struck yet again, with his first ball after tea, trapping Mohammad Sami plumb (223 for 9). The end came soon after, when Danish Kaneria played all over a quicker one from Harbhajan and was bowled.
Younis st Karthik b Kumble 0 (95 for 2)
Went forward to a full ball down leg, missed it, stepped out, stumped.
Inzamam b Kumble 13 (115 for 3)
On the front foot, quickish ball, played on.
Umar c Sehwag b Balaji 35 (115 for 4)
Edged a ball pitched on the perfect line and length, slanting away from him.
Youhana c Gambhir b Kumble 22 (178 for 5
Edged to forward short leg.
Razzaq b Kumble 6 (188 for 6)
Dragged a quick topspinner back onto his stumps.
Akmal b Harbhajan 7 (203 for 7)
Played well inside the line of a straight one.
Kamal c Kaif b Kumble 50 (214 for 8)
Flicked to the onside and edged to short leg.
Sami lbw b Kumble 9 (223 for 9)
Plumb in front to a straight one on middle and off.
Kaneria b Harbhajan 3 (226 for 10)
Played down the wrong line and found his off stump pegged back.
Anand Vasu is the assistant editor of Cricinfo.