CALCUTTA, 16 March 2005 — The “City of Joy” Calcutta has more on its plate to offer to the Pakistani tourists than only “Joy” itself to the old foes India and Pakistan as they meet at the Eden Gardens today for the second Test of the three-match series.
Tucked in the middle of the historic town a city with its teeming millions and flanked by the famous age-old soccer clubs, The Mohammadan Sporting and Mohan Bagan, the Eden Gardens is now ready with open arms to greet both the Indian and Pakistan teams. A crowd of nearly hundred thousand is a possibility and it will not be unusual.
When Pakistan played here last in 1999-2000 in the first Test of the Asian Test Championship and beat India by 46 runs almost 400,000 people witnessed the first four day’s play. On the final day a crowd of 60,000 had to be evacuated after crowd trouble in the stands when India was at the verge of losing the match. In front of empty stands then Pakistan walked in triumph watched only by the media and security people.
The enthusiasm has however never faded ever since Pakistan first visited this venue in 1952. India has never won a Test against Pakistan in five attempts, four Tests ended in drawn games and on their last visit Pakistan won the Test.
Irrespective of results of past years the interest remains as deep as always and the crowd here is still in the same mode and it is expected that once again they will occupy every seat to welcome the two teams and umpire Steve Bucknor who will be reaching the landmark of officiating his one hundredth Test — the only umpire to do so. A presentation in his honor is also on the menu.
Thankfully the hype created about this present series is still in the same gear because of Pakistan’s remarkable fightback in the first Test at Mohali.
Complacency is no more the watchword for either team. India know well the challenge ahead and Pakistan cannot afford to relax having seen the light at the other end of the tunnel.
“When you play for India the pressure is always on against any team. Calcutta is no different,” says skipper of Indian team Saurav Ganguly.
“After the first Test my young team has gained heaps in confidence. We know now that we can throw up a challenge and a tough fight,” says Inzamam ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain.
India has no fitness problems but it does not mean that they will play the same team as in the first Test. Knowing the character of the pitch and its recent reputation it is almost certain India will go into the match with two spinners. Harbhajan Singh, the off-spinner is likely to pair with Anil Kumble and paceman Zaheer Khan may be omitted. Laxmipathy Balaji, Irfan Pathan, Ganguly himself and if need be Sachin Tendulkar and Virendar Sehwag too may join in to bowl.
Harbhajan in his last seven Test innings has taken 29 wickets, qualification enough to be included in the team.
Pakistan has injury worries as medium-pacer Rana Naveed ul-Hassan has strained right shoulder and if he fails the fitness test then there is a possibility that left-arm seamer Mohammad Khalil who made his debut in Australia recently may make the team. Also chances of a reshuffle in the top order is likely. Opener Taufiq Umar and vice captain Younis Khan too are in danger of losing their place. For Yasir Hameed and Shahid Afridi. Afridi is both a fine leg-spinner who can partner Danish Kaneria and a good fielder too besides his freak batting.
Wicketkeepr Kamran Akmal who made his maiden Test century in the first Test and Abdul Razzaq’s contribution gives them heaps of confidence. Only if Pakistan apply themselves to their full potential they may give India a fright in front of their own crowd.
India (from): Saurav Ganguly (capt), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Venkatsai Laxman, Dinesh Karthik, Irfan Pathan, Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh, Laxmipathy Balaji, Zaheer Khan, Yuvraj Singh, Ashish Nehra.
Pakistan (from): Inzamam-ul-Haq (capt), Shahid Afridi, Taufiq Umar, Younis Khan, Yousuf Youhana, Asim Kamal, Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Sami, Danish Kaneria, Mohammad Khalil, Yasir Hameed, Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik, Rana Naveed ul-Hasan, Arshad Khan.
Umpires: Steve Bucknor (WIS) and Darrell Hair (AUS).
Match-referee: Chris Broad (ENG).
