Sehwag and Gambhir light up gloomy rain-affected Mohali

Virender Sehwag was in sight of his 9th test century as India ended the second day on 184/1. Only 40 overs were bowled in the day. Sehwag and Gambhir got India off to a flier, putting on 113 for the first wicket in just 17 overs. None of the bowlers really troubled either batsmen, barring Kaneria, who had Gambhir caught attempting to loft over the infield. Pakistan did drop their normal share of catches to enable Sehwag to score really rapidly. His half-century came off just 49 balls and if it were not for Kaneria's good bowling and Dravid's calming influence, he'd have gone well past a century by stumps today. If he does get to a century tomorrow, he'd just be continuing with his ability to consistently score at least one century in every series. Ok, he doesnt have a century every series, but 8 in 14 is still very good, considering the century is invariably in the first test of the series often, setting the tone for the rest of the series.

Considering that the light was quite poor when the day ended, questions will have to be asked about the need to go off for tea 11 overs into India's innings. The concept of tea, by itself, is an anachronistic one. The players had been cooling their heels in the pavillion for nearly four hours (play only started around 2 pm IST). So why should they go back for a tea break? I am fairly sure that the light was good enough, considering that India made 67 runs in those 11 overs. So why could they not play on and have an extra drinks break instead?

Last year, after rain delayed the start of play between New Zealand and England at Leeds, the players promptly trooped off for lunch despite the possibility of play.

Labels: icc, lunch, playing conditions, rules, tea