BULAWAYO, Zimbabwe, 16 September 2005 — Hapless Zimbabwe were facing another embarrassing defeat after they slumped to 67-6 in their second innings of the first Test against India here yesterday, still 208 runs short of making the visitors bat again.
At stumps, at the Queen’s Sports Club, they had just four wickets left after India, inspired by VVS Laxman and skipper Saurav Ganguly had piled up 554 in their first innings.
Opening bowler Irfan Pathan took four wickets for 35 to add to the 5-58 he took in the first innings as Zimbabwe were outclassed. Things could have been a lot worse for the home side after they crashed to 18-5 at one stage before skipper Tatendu Taibu and Charles Coventry put on 49 for the sixth wicket.
Earlier Ganguly, who made 101 — his 12th Test century — reached a personal landmark of 5,000 Test runs while Laxman was top-scorer with 140.
It was a timely century by Ganguly after he went into the series with many in the game at home demanding he be replaced by Rahul Dravid as captain.
“I have been disappointed over the last six months so the century today was a great relief,” admitted Ganguly.
“I can tell you that before this match I was asked to step down as captain.
When asked who had requested his resignation, Ganguly said: “Ask the coach. He will give you the answer.” India coach Greg Chappell then said: “Saurav and I discussed the balance of the team and there were a number of issues but that’s all I want to say at this stage.” When asked directly whether Chappell had sought his departure as captain, Ganguly replied: “You know what has been happening in Indian cricket. Other people are making decisions, my silence says everything so I’ll stick to it.”
India began the day already leading by 46 runs over Zimbabwe’s first innings all out of 279, with plenty in hand. And by the lunch break they reached 396 for the loss of six wickets.
Laxman resumed on 125 and Ganguly on 23. They had already put on 97 for the fourth wicket. Laxman’s century took him past the 4,000-run mark in Tests.
It required a seventh wicket partnership between Ganguly and Irfan Pathan of 97 runs to put them back on track.