Second T20, Ahmedabad: Yuvi-storm hits Pakistan as India win second T20 by 11 runs, draw series
So, India manage to level the two-game T20 series. They did put up a humongous score, 192/6, thanks to that whirlwind, vintage innings from Yuvraj Singh and his partnership with captain MS Dhoni, but Pakistan hit right back, being in the game the very end. Captain Mohammed Hafeez led the fightback with his brilliant innings of 26-ball 55, and when he and Umar Akmal were batting, it looked Pakistan may well overhaul the total. In the end, though, they fell just short, but it was a good game, and sets the template for the three One Day Internationals coming up next.
INDIA WIN BY 11 RUNS, LEVEL SERIES 1-1
Wicket: Gul c Rahane b Ishant 5
Over 20: Pakistan 181/7; Malik 3
Ishant Sharma needs to stop Pakistan from scoring 20 runs. Malik away from the strike with a single. A dot ball, then Gul gets a four, finding the gap in the covers. Two singles end all hopes for Pakistan, then a wide ball. Ishant ends the innings with a wicket, Umar Gul went for a big hit that wouldn't have changed anything anyway, and holed out to Rahane at deep point.
Ishant Sharma needs to stop Pakistan from scoring 20 runs. Malik away from the strike with a single. A dot ball, then Gul gets a four, finding the gap in the covers. Two singles end all hopes for Pakistan, then a wide ball. Ishant ends the innings with a wicket, Umar Gul went for a big hit that wouldn't have changed anything anyway, and holed out to Rahane at deep point.
Pakistan need 20 runs from the last over. And they have Umar Gul and Shoaib Malik at the crease.
Wicket: Kamran Akmal c Kohli b Dinda 5
Wicket: Hafeez c Raina b Dinda 55
Over 19: Pakistan 173/6; Malik 1, Gul 0
Penultimate over this, and Dinda bowls. A single to Kamran, but Hafeez then goes for a big one, only to be caught by Raina running in from long on boundary. The captain's gone, and the match is slipping away from Pakistan, but what an innings he played, 55 in just 26 balls. He almost single-handedly guided Pakistan to an incredible victory but his dismissal may well end all hopes for the visitors. Shoaib Malik walks out, Kamran Akmal gets a four but goes the next ball, caught at extra cover boundary, and Pakistan can bid adieu to any hopes of winning the series. It was a well connected shot but Kohli came running to his left from long off to take the catch on the run. Umar Gul comes in, and can batsman Gul do what he did with ball?
Penultimate over this, and Dinda bowls. A single to Kamran, but Hafeez then goes for a big one, only to be caught by Raina running in from long on boundary. The captain's gone, and the match is slipping away from Pakistan, but what an innings he played, 55 in just 26 balls. He almost single-handedly guided Pakistan to an incredible victory but his dismissal may well end all hopes for the visitors. Shoaib Malik walks out, Kamran Akmal gets a four but goes the next ball, caught at extra cover boundary, and Pakistan can bid adieu to any hopes of winning the series. It was a well connected shot but Kohli came running to his left from long off to take the catch on the run. Umar Gul comes in, and can batsman Gul do what he did with ball?
Wicket: Afridi c Sharma b Kumar 11
Over 18: Pakistan 167/4; Hafeez 55, Kamran Akmal 0
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back for his last over. Starts with a crucial dot ball, then hafeez hits one straight down the ground for four, in the middle of mid on and mid off. Then a single and Afridi goes for a big one, and gets it, straight down long on, despite not middling it. Then goes for another big one, it's a full toss too but Afridi can't get enough bat on it and hits straight to Rohit Sharma at long off. Kamran Akmal has now come out but Hafeez seems oblivious to everything around him, sending that last ball of the over for another four, and that alos brings up his 50.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar is back for his last over. Starts with a crucial dot ball, then hafeez hits one straight down the ground for four, in the middle of mid on and mid off. Then a single and Afridi goes for a big one, and gets it, straight down long on, despite not middling it. Then goes for another big one, it's a full toss too but Afridi can't get enough bat on it and hits straight to Rohit Sharma at long off. Kamran Akmal has now come out but Hafeez seems oblivious to everything around him, sending that last ball of the over for another four, and that alos brings up his 50.
Pakistan now need 41 runs in three overs, or close to 14 an over. Ahem.
Wicket: Umar Akmal b Dinda 24
Over 17: Pakistan 152/3; Hafeez 46, Afridi 5
Guess the spinning's done, it's the pacers to do the job for India now. And Umar Akmal is gone, clean bowled, middle stump gone. Though the scoring has mainly been done by Hafeez here, he needs someone at the other end and a new batsman may well take up crucial balls to get set. Pakistan do not have time or overs to waste. Shahid Afridi walks out to the middle. And gets off the mark straightaway with a four, pulling a short ball over the infield. A dot ball and then a single. Dot balls are suicide for Pakistan.
Guess the spinning's done, it's the pacers to do the job for India now. And Umar Akmal is gone, clean bowled, middle stump gone. Though the scoring has mainly been done by Hafeez here, he needs someone at the other end and a new batsman may well take up crucial balls to get set. Pakistan do not have time or overs to waste. Shahid Afridi walks out to the middle. And gets off the mark straightaway with a four, pulling a short ball over the infield. A dot ball and then a single. Dot balls are suicide for Pakistan.
Over 16: Pakistan 146/2; Akmal 24, Hafeez 45
Ishant Sharma is the pace partner and he starts with a six, thank you very much, says Hafeez. Length delivery, makes room and lofted over extra cover boundary. Ishant makes a good comeback, Pakistan get four singles but that's not enough at this stage even as Pakistan inch closer to the 150 mark.
Ishant Sharma is the pace partner and he starts with a six, thank you very much, says Hafeez. Length delivery, makes room and lofted over extra cover boundary. Ishant makes a good comeback, Pakistan get four singles but that's not enough at this stage even as Pakistan inch closer to the 150 mark.
Over 15: Pakistan 136/2; Akmal 22, Hafeez 37
India back to pace with Ashok Dinda. Hafeez has decided to go all out in the formidable chase, and he welcomes Dinda with two successive fours. The first drilled through extra cover, timed to perfection as Virat Kohli can't reach it despite diving. The second he takes from outside off stump and sends past backward square leg. Then three singles. Pakistan have managed to keep the scoring rate above 10 since Hafeez came in to bat, but they still need over nine.
India back to pace with Ashok Dinda. Hafeez has decided to go all out in the formidable chase, and he welcomes Dinda with two successive fours. The first drilled through extra cover, timed to perfection as Virat Kohli can't reach it despite diving. The second he takes from outside off stump and sends past backward square leg. Then three singles. Pakistan have managed to keep the scoring rate above 10 since Hafeez came in to bat, but they still need over nine.
Over 14: Pakistan 125/2; Akmal 21, Hafeez 27
Ashwin is bowling his last over and Hafeez has decided to cut loose. Starts with a six over midwicket, follows with another maximum, flat over the same area. Gets a single to get off the strike. Two singles to end the over.
Ashwin is bowling his last over and Hafeez has decided to cut loose. Starts with a six over midwicket, follows with another maximum, flat over the same area. Gets a single to get off the strike. Two singles to end the over.
It is not a bad score, to be honest, but the target set for them by India makes it seem too small. And blame it all on Yuvraj Singh.
Over 13: Pakistan 110/2; Akmal 20, Hafeez 13
Yuvraj continues, again a single to Akmal before Hafeez cuts late in front of off stump to third man boundary for four. A single, then two to Akmal and a four, that went like a bullet before anyone could realise, straight down the ground. Two runs to end the over, the first big over for Pakistan in a while.
Yuvraj continues, again a single to Akmal before Hafeez cuts late in front of off stump to third man boundary for four. A single, then two to Akmal and a four, that went like a bullet before anyone could realise, straight down the ground. Two runs to end the over, the first big over for Pakistan in a while.
The target is now less than 100 runs away, in 48 balls. Not easy, and wickets/dot balls will make things all the more difficult. Yuvraj Singh has the ball.
Over 12: Pakistan 96/2; Akmal 11, Hafeez 8
Bhuvneshwar is back with the ball for his third over. Akmal gets a single to bring the captain on strike and Hafeez starts with a four, scooped over short fine leg. Hafeez was the key to Pakistan's chase in the previous match, and he will be the main player for Pakistan here as well. Three singles and then two wides from the last ball as DHoni fails to collect it cleanly. Ends with two, hit high behind the keeper but landing safely.
Bhuvneshwar is back with the ball for his third over. Akmal gets a single to bring the captain on strike and Hafeez starts with a four, scooped over short fine leg. Hafeez was the key to Pakistan's chase in the previous match, and he will be the main player for Pakistan here as well. Three singles and then two wides from the last ball as DHoni fails to collect it cleanly. Ends with two, hit high behind the keeper but landing safely.
Wicket: Shehzad st Dhoni b Yuvraj 31
Over 11: Pakistan 84/2; Akmal 9, Hafeez 0
Yuvraj is now on to bowl. And is welcomed with a six from Umar Akmal, charges down and swings hard over long-off. The run rate is at par with India's at this stage, but who from Pakistan will be the equivalent of Yuvi-storm? Yuvraj, meanwhile, has struck with the ball too here, drawing Shehzad out with a quicker ball that slipped past the batsman and Dhoni is quick to whip away the bails. Captain Hafeez is walking out.
Yuvraj is now on to bowl. And is welcomed with a six from Umar Akmal, charges down and swings hard over long-off. The run rate is at par with India's at this stage, but who from Pakistan will be the equivalent of Yuvi-storm? Yuvraj, meanwhile, has struck with the ball too here, drawing Shehzad out with a quicker ball that slipped past the batsman and Dhoni is quick to whip away the bails. Captain Hafeez is walking out.
Wicket: Jamshed c Kohli b Ashwin 41
Over 10: Pakistan 75/1; Shehzad 30, Akmal 1
Ashwin to bowl, Dhoni is trying to make the task beyond impossible for Pakistan with a spin choke here in the middle orders. He's also got a wicket now, the pressure on Pakistan to score has claimed a victim. he was dropped by Dhoni on the second ball but not for long, is caught by Kohli at point for the first wicket. Slower, short and wide, Jamshed gets the toe of the bat to it. Umar Akmal comes on, he was out for nought in the previous game.
Ashwin to bowl, Dhoni is trying to make the task beyond impossible for Pakistan with a spin choke here in the middle orders. He's also got a wicket now, the pressure on Pakistan to score has claimed a victim. he was dropped by Dhoni on the second ball but not for long, is caught by Kohli at point for the first wicket. Slower, short and wide, Jamshed gets the toe of the bat to it. Umar Akmal comes on, he was out for nought in the previous game.
Over 9: Pakistan 71/0; Shehzad 29, Jamshed 40
Raina continues. Starts with a single to Jamshed but Shehzad has had enough, he breaks free and get a much welcome boundary here, hit straight down the ground. Three more singles but Pakistan are still under a lot of pressure here, almost half the innings is over and they are not even close to 100.
Raina continues. Starts with a single to Jamshed but Shehzad has had enough, he breaks free and get a much welcome boundary here, hit straight down the ground. Three more singles but Pakistan are still under a lot of pressure here, almost half the innings is over and they are not even close to 100.
Over 8: Pakistan 63/0; Shehzad 23, Jamshed 39
Ashwin continues. Five singles again, a shot for leg before but the umpire is not interested, the ball was straight and would perhaps have missed off stump. The asking rate is climbing.
Ashwin continues. Five singles again, a shot for leg before but the umpire is not interested, the ball was straight and would perhaps have missed off stump. The asking rate is climbing.
Over 7: Pakistan 59/0; Shehzad 21, Jamshed 37
Suresh Raina has the ball, Dhoni is using everyone who can bowl in the Indian team here. Five runs from that over, and Dhoni is choking the runs here with spinners. The target Pakistan are chasing, they need to keep wickets and score at more than 10 an over, and a couple more overs like this add to the pressure on their batsmen, and maybe leading to frustration and desperation.
Suresh Raina has the ball, Dhoni is using everyone who can bowl in the Indian team here. Five runs from that over, and Dhoni is choking the runs here with spinners. The target Pakistan are chasing, they need to keep wickets and score at more than 10 an over, and a couple more overs like this add to the pressure on their batsmen, and maybe leading to frustration and desperation.
Over 6: Pakistan 54/0; Shehzad 19, Jamshed 34
Spin into play now, Ashwin to bowl. Jamshed gets two to bring up the 50 for Pakistan. Only six from that over and no boundaries so India will be happy.
Spin into play now, Ashwin to bowl. Jamshed gets two to bring up the 50 for Pakistan. Only six from that over and no boundaries so India will be happy.
Over 5: Pakistan 48/0; Shehzad 17, Jamshed 30
First bowling change for India, Ashok Dinda comes on. And welcomed with a four, hit through point despite a packed field. Second goes for four as well, comes down the wicket and beats the mid-off. A single and hShehzad joins the party, getting a four off the last ball to take the score close to 50.
First bowling change for India, Ashok Dinda comes on. And welcomed with a four, hit through point despite a packed field. Second goes for four as well, comes down the wicket and beats the mid-off. A single and hShehzad joins the party, getting a four off the last ball to take the score close to 50.
The dew seems to be kicking in now, with fielders having problems in holding the ball even as it races away on a wet outfield.
Over 4: Pakistan 35/0; Shehzad 13, Jamshed 21
Ishant at the other end is welcomed with a huge six by Shehzad, that went miles into the stands. Too short and punished into the upper tiers. A single brings Jamshed on strike, two dot balls and a four to break free, flicked down the leg side to race to the boundary, then a single to keep the strike by Jamshed. Pakistan know what they have to do and made their intentions clear.
Ishant at the other end is welcomed with a huge six by Shehzad, that went miles into the stands. Too short and punished into the upper tiers. A single brings Jamshed on strike, two dot balls and a four to break free, flicked down the leg side to race to the boundary, then a single to keep the strike by Jamshed. Pakistan know what they have to do and made their intentions clear.
Over 3: Pakistan 23/0; Shehzad 6, Jamshed 16
Kumar continues. Three overs down, Pakistan have made a steady start here, despite the lone four and six, and the longer they play cautious, the more pressure will increase on the batsmen coming after them. They are chasing close to 200, so the pressure will remain all through. Four runs in the first four balls looked decent but then Jamshed hits a big one, first six of the innings. Came down the track and hit it, very high, it looked like falling short but just managed to clear the ropes before falling safely. A four past short third man to end the over. Fourteen from that one, they need many many more such overs.
Kumar continues. Three overs down, Pakistan have made a steady start here, despite the lone four and six, and the longer they play cautious, the more pressure will increase on the batsmen coming after them. They are chasing close to 200, so the pressure will remain all through. Four runs in the first four balls looked decent but then Jamshed hits a big one, first six of the innings. Came down the track and hit it, very high, it looked like falling short but just managed to clear the ropes before falling safely. A four past short third man to end the over. Fourteen from that one, they need many many more such overs.
Over 2: Pakistan 9/0; Shehzad 5, Jamshed 3
Ishant Sharma starts from the other end with the ball. Just a boundary off that over, too short and wide, Shehzad slaps it through cover.
Ishant Sharma starts from the other end with the ball. Just a boundary off that over, too short and wide, Shehzad slaps it through cover.
Over 1: Pakistan 5/0; Shehzad 1, Jamshed 3
Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad are out to open the batting, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has the ball. He had a dream debut in Bangalore the other day, can he do it again here for India? A steady start for Pakistan here, five runs to start.
Nasir Jamshed and Ahmed Shehzad are out to open the batting, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has the ball. He had a dream debut in Bangalore the other day, can he do it again here for India? A steady start for Pakistan here, five runs to start.
Pakistan's highest score in a successful chase in T20s is 178 for 2, against Bangladesh in Pallekele this year, so they need to do significantly better to win here.
INNINGS BREAK
So, India have done better than perhaps even they would have expected. They have gone past 190, thanks mainly to that whirlwind 97-run partnership between Dhoni and Yuvraj, in 44 balls. The Indian batting, under criticism here for quite some time and under pressure, have finally come good on a flat Motera track than has little or nothing for spinners and not much for pacers either. It's not an impossible target for Pakistan but India do have their nose ahead here, and are favourites to win this game and level series.
Wicket: Dhoni b Gul 33
Wicket: Yuvraj c Malik b Gul 72
Over 20: India 192/3; Raina 1, Rohit 4
Umar Gul to bowl the last over, but Dhoni and Yuvraj have already done irreparable damage here. Yuvraj goes, finally, caught straight at boundary by Shoaib Malik while trying to hit another big one but this time it went too high and not too far, taking the lower edge. The wicket won't make any difference, though, the damage is done. Raina is in for the remaining balls. Two singles and Dhoni is bowled, trying to make room and getting castled instead, the middle stump flying back. So Rohit Sharma will come in to face one ball, but he ends up facing two, the last being a no-ball. And Rohit makes full use of it, getting a four to end the innings, and India have gone past 190 here.
Umar Gul to bowl the last over, but Dhoni and Yuvraj have already done irreparable damage here. Yuvraj goes, finally, caught straight at boundary by Shoaib Malik while trying to hit another big one but this time it went too high and not too far, taking the lower edge. The wicket won't make any difference, though, the damage is done. Raina is in for the remaining balls. Two singles and Dhoni is bowled, trying to make room and getting castled instead, the middle stump flying back. So Rohit Sharma will come in to face one ball, but he ends up facing two, the last being a no-ball. And Rohit makes full use of it, getting a four to end the innings, and India have gone past 190 here.
Over 19: India 184/3; Yuvraj 72, Dhoni 31
Ajmal is on for his last over but there is no stopping this Yuvraj storm. Four runs in the first three balls may have appeared to Pakistan as a good beginning but Yuvraj has other ideas. The next three balls go for three sixes, too short and he's sent them flying huge, huge into the stands, all three of them over backward square leg to take India racing past 180.
Ajmal is on for his last over but there is no stopping this Yuvraj storm. Four runs in the first three balls may have appeared to Pakistan as a good beginning but Yuvraj has other ideas. The next three balls go for three sixes, too short and he's sent them flying huge, huge into the stands, all three of them over backward square leg to take India racing past 180.
Dhoni and Yuvraj put on an Indian record of 97 runs for the fourth wicket in T20s.
These two have put on 74 runs so far for the fourth wicket, a record for India in this format. India are looking at going past 180 at this rate.
Over 18: India 162/3; Yuvraj 53, Dhoni 28
Sohail Tanvir has the ball now for his last over. Dhoni takes a single, and Yuvraj lets loose. Two sixes off successive deliveries takes him past 50. First, uses the angle of the ball to launch it past the midwicket boundary, then another one in the same area, into the stands. A single and Dhoni wraps a good over for India with a four down extra cover. India got 18 runs off that over, that was the most expensive so far from Pakistan and it also brings up the 150 for India.
Sohail Tanvir has the ball now for his last over. Dhoni takes a single, and Yuvraj lets loose. Two sixes off successive deliveries takes him past 50. First, uses the angle of the ball to launch it past the midwicket boundary, then another one in the same area, into the stands. A single and Dhoni wraps a good over for India with a four down extra cover. India got 18 runs off that over, that was the most expensive so far from Pakistan and it also brings up the 150 for India.
Over 17: India 144/3; Yuvraj 40, Dhoni 23
And now the captain himself is on, loking for a breakthrough here. Hafeez starts with a single. Misfield by Irfan gives India a four where there was only one, and fifty up for this partnership. Two singles, then Yuvraj ends the over with another four, this time timed perfectly between backward point and short third man.
And now the captain himself is on, loking for a breakthrough here. Hafeez starts with a single. Misfield by Irfan gives India a four where there was only one, and fifty up for this partnership. Two singles, then Yuvraj ends the over with another four, this time timed perfectly between backward point and short third man.
Over 16: India 133/3; Yuvraj 31, Dhoni 21
Umar Gul is back into the attack. Starts with four legbyes to Dhoni, then quick two runs, Dhoni rarely gets ti wrong with his running between the wickets. Next ball, pulls a short ball from Gul for four over square leg boundary, and follows it with another, this time over extra cover. A single to end the over and India have equalled their total for the first game already.
Umar Gul is back into the attack. Starts with four legbyes to Dhoni, then quick two runs, Dhoni rarely gets ti wrong with his running between the wickets. Next ball, pulls a short ball from Gul for four over square leg boundary, and follows it with another, this time over extra cover. A single to end the over and India have equalled their total for the first game already.
Over 15: India 118/3; Yuvraj 31, Dhoni 10
Saeed Ajmal is on and there is no respect for his reputation as the best bowler in the world. Yuvraj welcomes him with a huge six into the stands. This is vintage Yuvraj, and he may well be the difference between the teams here. But then, he is the man who hit six sixes in an over, so this is standard stuff from him. Other than one six, a good over for Pakistan.
Saeed Ajmal is on and there is no respect for his reputation as the best bowler in the world. Yuvraj welcomes him with a huge six into the stands. This is vintage Yuvraj, and he may well be the difference between the teams here. But then, he is the man who hit six sixes in an over, so this is standard stuff from him. Other than one six, a good over for Pakistan.
Over 14: India 110/3; Yuvraj 24, Dhoni 9
Hafeez has brought in the tall Irfan for his final over. Manages to keep the batsmen down to ones and twos.
Hafeez has brought in the tall Irfan for his final over. Manages to keep the batsmen down to ones and twos.
Over 13: India 105/3; Yuvraj 23, Dhoni 5
Captain cool MS Dhoni is the new man in. Comes on strike after a single from Yuvraj, and makes his intent clear with a four straightaway, fuller and lofted over extra cover. A single, and Yuvraj hits India's first maximum for the innings, Afridi is at the recieving end here. Down on one knee and hit over midwicket. Another four, this one to third man boundary, and a single. Afridi has gone for 33 runs in his three overs so far, 17 of them in this over itself. And it also brings up the 100 for India, seven overs yet to go.
Captain cool MS Dhoni is the new man in. Comes on strike after a single from Yuvraj, and makes his intent clear with a four straightaway, fuller and lofted over extra cover. A single, and Yuvraj hits India's first maximum for the innings, Afridi is at the recieving end here. Down on one knee and hit over midwicket. Another four, this one to third man boundary, and a single. Afridi has gone for 33 runs in his three overs so far, 17 of them in this over itself. And it also brings up the 100 for India, seven overs yet to go.
Wicket: Kohli run out (Ajmal) 27
Over 12: India 88/3; Yuvraj 11
Sohail Tanvir is back in the attack. Kohli gets two runs, was going for four but Afridi at midwicket leaps, he can't get it but takes the pace off the ball. Then three singles, and Tanvir gets his first wicket, the one India were looking for. Kohli is gone, run out as Yuvraj glanced one to short fine leg and went for a quick run but a direct hit from Ajmal meant India lose another wicket.
Sohail Tanvir is back in the attack. Kohli gets two runs, was going for four but Afridi at midwicket leaps, he can't get it but takes the pace off the ball. Then three singles, and Tanvir gets his first wicket, the one India were looking for. Kohli is gone, run out as Yuvraj glanced one to short fine leg and went for a quick run but a direct hit from Ajmal meant India lose another wicket.
Over 11: India 83/2; Kohli 23, Yuvraj 10
Afridi continues and Pakistan are loking for a wicket here, this partnership can get dangerous. Kohli starts the over with a four, making room and hit straight back over the bowler's head. Three singles, then Yuvraj ends the over the way it began. Short ball, Yuvraj stays back and hit sis wide of short leg.
Afridi continues and Pakistan are loking for a wicket here, this partnership can get dangerous. Kohli starts the over with a four, making room and hit straight back over the bowler's head. Three singles, then Yuvraj ends the over the way it began. Short ball, Yuvraj stays back and hit sis wide of short leg.
Over 10: India 72/2; Kohli 17, Yuvraj 5
Ajmal is back wth the ball. Four singles, interspersed with a glorious four from Kohli. Too short, Kohli is on the back foot and pulled over infield for a boundary.
Ajmal is back wth the ball. Four singles, interspersed with a glorious four from Kohli. Too short, Kohli is on the back foot and pulled over infield for a boundary.
Over 9: India 64/2; Kohli 11, Yuvraj 3Hafeez has brought Shahid Afridi into the attack. Five singles from that over.
Over 8: India 59/2; Kohli 9, Yuvraj 0
Mohammed Irfan is back for his second spell. Just a single in the first four balls. The fourth ball leaped at Yuvraj Singh from short of length and continued to climb, Kamran Akmal has to leap high to take that. The next ball, a yorker, hit Yuvraj on the boot from a height of approximately 10 feet, and Yuvraj is in pain, and asks for the physio. India get a leg bye, though, and Kohli kits the last ball for a straight drive to spoil Irfan's figures.
Mohammed Irfan is back for his second spell. Just a single in the first four balls. The fourth ball leaped at Yuvraj Singh from short of length and continued to climb, Kamran Akmal has to leap high to take that. The next ball, a yorker, hit Yuvraj on the boot from a height of approximately 10 feet, and Yuvraj is in pain, and asks for the physio. India get a leg bye, though, and Kohli kits the last ball for a straight drive to spoil Irfan's figures.
And just like that, India's both openers are back in the hut and the good start has been negated. But there is still a lot of batting to come from this Indian team and these two in the middle have to take responsibility. Yuvraj Singh has come out to partner Kohli.
Wicket: Rahane c & b Gul 28
Over 7: India 53/2; Kohli 4
The fielding restrictions are over, Pakistan players are moving back and Umar Gul has got his second success. Rahane caught and bowled by the pacer, off the last ball of the over. Rahane tried to pull a short ball but ended up simply lobbing it back to the bowler for the simplest of catches. Five runs came from that over but no boundaries.
The fielding restrictions are over, Pakistan players are moving back and Umar Gul has got his second success. Rahane caught and bowled by the pacer, off the last ball of the over. Rahane tried to pull a short ball but ended up simply lobbing it back to the bowler for the simplest of catches. Five runs came from that over but no boundaries.
Over 6: India 48/1; Rahane 25, Kohli 2
Pakistan bring in spin for the first time in the innings, Saeed Ajmal has the ball. Four singles to start with.
Pakistan bring in spin for the first time in the innings, Saeed Ajmal has the ball. Four singles to start with.
Wicket: Gambhir lbw b Gul 21
Over 5: India 44/1; Rahane 23, Kohli 0
Umar Gul replaces Irfan. The number of fast bowlers Pakistan produce at any point of time is, fairly, astonishing. This time, though, he is beaten to all corners by Gambhir with three successive fours. First cut to third man boundary with a thick edge, second stepped out, made room and slashed over the infield. Gul went around the wicket and promptly dispatched to the ropes, short and tried to hook but it took the gloves past a leaping wicketkeeper Kamral Akmal. Gul has the final laugh, however, dismissing Gambhir leg before. Slower ball, pitched outside off and angling in, Gambhir was hit on the bat foot. Virat Kohli walks in.
Umar Gul replaces Irfan. The number of fast bowlers Pakistan produce at any point of time is, fairly, astonishing. This time, though, he is beaten to all corners by Gambhir with three successive fours. First cut to third man boundary with a thick edge, second stepped out, made room and slashed over the infield. Gul went around the wicket and promptly dispatched to the ropes, short and tried to hook but it took the gloves past a leaping wicketkeeper Kamral Akmal. Gul has the final laugh, however, dismissing Gambhir leg before. Slower ball, pitched outside off and angling in, Gambhir was hit on the bat foot. Virat Kohli walks in.
Over 4: India 31/0; Gambhir 9, Rahane 22
Sohail Tanvir to Rahane. Two singles, then Rahane goes for the big hits, two fours in a row. First short and wide outside off, slashed over point. The other second full and glanced to backward square leg. Eleven runs from that over.
Sohail Tanvir to Rahane. Two singles, then Rahane goes for the big hits, two fours in a row. First short and wide outside off, slashed over point. The other second full and glanced to backward square leg. Eleven runs from that over.
Over 3: India 20/0; Gambhir 9, Rahane 12
Irfan continues. Good comeback from the 7'1" tall bowler, four singles from that over.
Irfan continues. Good comeback from the 7'1" tall bowler, four singles from that over.
Over 2: India 17/0; Gambhir 7, Rahane 10
Sohail Tanvir at the other end, pitched wide outside off and Gambhir drives it away through covers for four. A single brings Rahane on strike, who gets his own boundary, again through cover by the right-hander this time, even though he didn't exactly middle the ball. A single to end the over, and Rahane keeps the strike.
Sohail Tanvir at the other end, pitched wide outside off and Gambhir drives it away through covers for four. A single brings Rahane on strike, who gets his own boundary, again through cover by the right-hander this time, even though he didn't exactly middle the ball. A single to end the over, and Rahane keeps the strike.
Gautam Gambhir and Ajinkya Rahane put on 44 runs for the opening wicket to give Indian innings a strong foundation.
Over 1: India 7/0; Gambhir 2, Rahane 5
The outfield is fast, and Gambhir gets off the mark with a single. Rahane, on the other hand, wants to continue the way he played the first game, and starts with a four between point and gully. Gets off the strike with a single, fended close on the off side for a quick run. Gambhir ends with a run.
The outfield is fast, and Gambhir gets off the mark with a single. Rahane, on the other hand, wants to continue the way he played the first game, and starts with a four between point and gully. Gets off the strike with a single, fended close on the off side for a quick run. Gambhir ends with a run.
Gautam Gambhir walks out and will take strike with Ajinkya Rahane at the other end. Mohammed Irfan, the tallest player in cricket ever, to bowl.
Pakistan wins the toss, again, and decides to bowl, again. Captain Mohammed Hafeez says the dew factor was one of the reasons for the decision and hopes to get their top-order going this time around. The team reamins unchanged. Dhoni differes, says dew may not matter much, and is lavish in his praise for debutant pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the inaugural game. Ravindra Jadeja makes way for R Ashwin, whose omission in the first match was one of the most debated topics.
The pitch looks pretty flat and hard and Wasim Akram, out in the middle, says there will be bounce for the fast bowlers, though possible dew later may make a difference. Ravi Shastri agrees, and the consensus is whoever wins the toss will bowl first.
It was expected to be a battle between Indian batting aand Pakistan bowling seemingly the best in the world on paper. In reality, it was that but ended up being a fight between one lone Indian bowler and the Pakistan batsmen, with the latter coming out winners.
India Today brings you live coverage of the second Twenty20 between India and Pakistan from the Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad.
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