Unbelievable day of Test cricket!

Unbelievable day of Test cricket!
Sanjay Manjrekar

One of the many good things that happened on the fourth day was, it got all of us to keep our faith in miracles. Yes, miracles do happen! We saw one on Wednesday. A dream script was written by VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid at the Eden Gardens.

Would you believe it? India can now seriously think of pressing a win against Australia in the second Test.

One watched VVS Laxman make preparations to resume his innings this morning. He had his pads on and had got one of the local boys to throw balls at him. Even when knocking the ball around in practice he looked amazingly focussed. When I went up to congratulate him on his hundred he acknowledged politely and I got a chance to look at him from up close.

The expression he carried on his face was striking. He looked a man who was still playing his innings in the mind, as if there was no break. The job for him was not finished, only half done. Here was a batsman who still had a lot of work to do. After that encounter his unbeaten score of 274 at the end of day’s play was not a complete surprise.

You see quite a few overnight centurions dwelling on their feat the next day reliving the innings, looking pleased with themselves. That’s when the complacency sets in. There was no chance of that happening with the VVS Laxman I saw. He has always been a big innings player. His only real success in Tests before this innings was also a big hundred. With the kind of skill he has shown in this match and the hunger that he has for runs, expecting incredible things from him in the future would not be unreasonable.

He just went on the rampage today gobbling up records in the process. Most notably the highest individual score by an Indian. He has bettered that one by far. Rahul Dravid blossomed in the company of brilliance. After the initial hard work Dravid used his Test experience to notch up another hundred. His first against Australia and his most satisfying perhaps, judging from his animated celebrations on reaching the landmark. It was especially pleasing to see him get to that hundred with a boundary off Warne, who has been his nemesis so far.

That mental block against the bowler now seems to be broken. One whole day of cricket went by without a wicket falling and astonishingly not a single chance was offered by the two Indians. It really was one of the most unbelievable day of Test cricket you will ever see. All this meant that it was a long, long day in the office for the Aussies.

That must have given Ganguly a peek at some of their weaknesses. While India are feeling good about themselves, it would only be sensible that they try and make the most of it. I strongly believe India should declare overnight and give themselves an opportunity to try for what would be one of the greatest wins for India. In a Test match where lot of incredible things have happened, an Indian win would be the most cherished.

If not, a very special innings would be a part of another tame draw. That, would be a shame!

-- (A SportsNet Syndication)