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Filed under kolkata test match

Do you know ~ VVS Laxman has not been dismissed in last 4 innings he has played. His last six test match scores read 54, 51, 46*, 72*, 6* & 112* today!

At other end, was Prince of Kolkata - Sourav Ganguly. Left hander made 102 (his best at Eden Gardens, see notes) and every single run was cheered by Eden Gardens fans like a six. some 55,000 spectators practically clapped Sourav to his 13th test 100.

Together, on Ind v Pak 2nd test 2nd day - Laxman & Ganguly proved why Indian batting is one of World's best. Starting second day at 352, Pakistan bowlers opted for defensive strategy & dry up the runs. For 1st hour - it worked. Stiff body of Wasim Jaffer forced a false shot from opener & he perished soon after completing his double ton.. not able to break his personal best of 214 made against Windies last year!

Shoaib Akhtar bowled 15 overs today (only 9 on Day 1) but never looked threatening with his short run-up/less pace method. Danish Kaneria got some spin & bounce from powdering Eden Gardens pitch but Pak plan was too defensive to take the half chances. Ganguly had some luck but Laxman was flawless. Mahendra Singh Dhoni helped himself to a notout test match half century as Anil Kumble declared Indian Innings with 20 more overs remaining.

Tired of leather chasing, Pakistan openers - Salman Butt & Yasir Hameed counter attacked Indian pacers instead of survival. New ball travels fast to the boundary and as attacking field was set - Pakistan reached 50 off the 16 overs they batted in their first Innings. see Day 2 highlights.

India vs Pakistan, 2nd test Kolkata - End of Day 2 score card
India : 616 for 5 declared, 152.5 overs.
Jaffer 202 (274), Karthik 1, Dravid 50 (118),
Tendulkar 82 (109), Ganguly 102 (156b, 14x4),
Laxman 112* (178b, 15x4), Dhoni 50* (82b, 1x6).
A total of 88 fours hit by India, only 1 six.

Pakistan : 50 for 1, 16 overs bowled.
Yasir Hameed 21 - lbw Anil Kumble,
Salman Butt 26* & Younis Khan 3*.

Day 2 Notes from Kolkatta
-We've nearly touched the end of year 2007, so we can safely say it wasn't a high scoring batting year. last year, Mohammad Yousuf broke the record for most centuries in one calender year but this year - just three double centuries have been made with only one batsman aggregating over 1000 runs in year 2007 - Jacques Kallis with 1125 runs. 266 by Kevin Pietersen, 222 by Kumar Sangakkara & 202 by Wasim Jaffer in this match are the only three double tons.

-Television telecast of this second test match between India and Pakistan didn't had hawk-eye replays on Day 1. but, today it was back!

-Now this one is interesing! India lost 1 wicket each in ever session of their first Innings - scored more than a hundered in each of 6 sessions & their score once read - 111/1, 222/2, 333/3, 444/4 & 555/5 .

-Kolkata has always been high scoring ground, specially in first Innings. India, when got lucky with coin tossing, have made three over 600 score (657 for 7, 633 for 4, and 616 in this match. West Indies, way back in 1958, made 614 against India.

-Sourav Ganguly may be the prince of Kolkata but the test venue hasn't been too productive for the southpaw. His previous 12 innings here had the best of 63 at an average of 24 as compared to his test career average of 41. Now, having scored his first century at home - dada can sleep a little better!

Flawless Jaffer stands tall on Day 1 : 2nd test

Wanted : Pitch curators for India & Asia

Ganguly & Laxman rub it in on Pak : Day 2 story

Akmal - Misbah lead Pakistan fight-back on Day 3

India push for win, Pak eyes draw : Day 4

Gutsy Pakistan earn draw, keep series alive