Saurav Ganguly celebrates his first test century at home. Photo / Reuters
Saurav Ganguly scored his first test century at his home ground of Eden Gardens to lead India to 553 for five as tea approached on the second day of the second cricket test against Pakistan in Kolkata yesterday.
Left-handed Ganguly (102) shared a 163-run stand with VVS Laxman
(92 not out) for the fifth wicket to pile on the agony of a weakened Pakistan attack after opener Wasim Jaffer (202) fell shortly after reaching his double century.
Jaffer, overnight 192, struck two boundaries off quick bowler Shoaib Akhtar to reach his career's second double hundred in style after the hosts resumed at 352 for three.
The stylish opener was caught behind shortly afterwards, flashing at Sohail Tanvir off the left-arm quick's first ball off the day.
But Ganguly and Laxman made no mistakes. Nippy Tanvir, who had dismissed opener Dinesh Karthik of his first ball on the opening day, troubled Laxman with his outswingers but the batsman soon got on top on a placid Kolkata pitch.
Ganguly, playing in his 98th test, drove fluently and punched hard for his 14 boundaries as the crowd in Eden Gardens swelled to watch the home-grown player.
Laxman, who struck seven fours, swatted Shoaib for consecutive boundaries to bring up the team's 400 and Ganguly drove and steered an erratic Tanvir for boundaries to race towards his 50.
Shoaib, who was taken to hospital for fatigue-related fever before the test, bowled just five overs during the first session.
Laxman was joined by Mahendra Singh Dhoni after Ganguly fell.
- REUTERS
