This was one of the most fascinating day for Indian Cricket especially Anil Kumble who hit his maiden test century on Day2 to help Indian score to achieve the highest total at England soil. Anil Kumble batted with aggression and maturity and hit his first Test century (110 not out) in 18 years of international career.
With the help of M.S. Dhoni sparkling inning of 92 runs and Anil Kumble aggressive 110 not out India able to score 664 runs in the first inning. At stumps on day2 England were 23/1 for the lost of Andrew Staruss wicket which is picked by Zaheer Khan.
Earlier Indians started well, with both V.V.S Laxman and Sachin Tendulkar looking positive. V.V. Laxman however dropped on 41 on the bowling of Ryne Sidebottom on 41 and he was not able to take full advantage of this opportunity given to him and after adding 10 more runs he was finally out for 51 runs.
After Laxman wicket M.S. Dhoni arrive to crease and he looks tentative at start but after Sachin Tendulkar dismissal (82 runs) he fire his all cylinder scoring a blistering 92 runs of just 81 balls with9 fours and 4 sixes. But he was also fail to make century and got out on part timer Kevin Pietersen trying to hit him for three consecutive sixes. At this stage Indians score were 508/7 and all Englands fans were thinking that now it’s only matter of few balls to dismiss the Indians.
But the Indian fighter, the old fox Anil Kumble were brilliant and scored his first maiden century. All Indian tails were given good support to this man to help his reach his hundred. S.Sreesanth and Anil Kumble put 73 for the last wicket to take Indian score up to 664.
All of the India's batsmen reached double figures as the English bowlers continued to suffer.
Now it’s time for England Opener to safely negotiate those firing 8 overs from Indian bowlers. But unfortunately in the fifth over of Engladn inning Andrew Strauss got out trying to hook the ball of Zaheer Khan out of the ground and Indians make inroad to England innings.
England still needs 441 to avoid the follow-on but they have only 9 wickets remaining to pass the big task ahead on third day of Play.
Match Summary
India 1st Inning
664 all out A. Kumble – 110* D.Karthik – 91 S.R Tendulkar – 82
