What a way to go from misery to majesty! On a day of severe duress and toil, India came through at stumps on the first day of the first Test between India and Sri Lanka at Motera, Ahmedabad with a record score even as Rahul Dravid becomes the fifth Test cricketer in history to score 11000 runs.
From four down for thirty-two in only eight overs, India were able to see out the first day’s play on 385 for six and that was largely due to one men and two who want to be reckoned in his league.
Rahul Dravid, “The Wall”, came to India’s rescue after what seemed like a doomsday scenario for the Indian team as Chanaka Welegedera made his presence felt. At that point, it appeared as if India had given the visitors a golden opportunity to make their mark early.
But not with Dravid around. Battling defense with authority, Dravid first found Yuvraj Singh able company as the duo raised a 125 run partnership which set up the platform of rescue for Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Indian captain, to join Dravid in wresting the initiative away from Sri Lanka.
Half way before tea and almost to the end of the day, Dravid and Dhoni went about restoring India’s offence as the conditions eased as did the pitch while Sri Lanka appeared to become increasingly exhausted after the early morning’s brilliance.
While Dravid, on the verge of a fine century before tea, reached the three digit milestone and went onto to make an unbeaten 177, Dhoni batted brilliantly through the afternoon to score only his second Test century. Their partnership, worth 224, really put India in the ascent, making the most in a single day’s play in a Test.
Dammika Prasad ruined the final flourish, taking the wicket of the Indian captain for 110, as he nicked to the first slip. But India were 381 for six at the fall of wicket, wiping out much of the morning’s debacle, finishing on a more commanding six down for 385.
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