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Untitled Document
 Karthik misses century but puts India in control at The Oval
10th Aug 2007 08:19 IST
Agencies
Dinesh Karthik missed his century by mere nine runs but his knock of a sterling 91 enabled India to get off to a perfect start and then overcame second session hiccups to hog opening day honours in the third and final Test against England at The Oval in London on Thursday.
India ended Day One on a comfortable 316/4 with Sachin Tendulkar on 48 (132b, 5x4) and VVS Laxman on 20 (37b, 2x4) at the crease.
Things could have been even better for the visitors but for two unfortunate dismissals. Karthik was unfortunate to be given out caught behind even though the snikometer did not support the decision, while Sourav Ganguly (37) returned leg before despite the ball taking an inside edge before hitting his pad.
Having won the toss and batted first on a good batting track, India was well served by openers Karthik and Wasim Jaffer (35) who shared a dazzling 62-run stand for the first wicket in 90 balls.
Indian captain Rahul Dravid (55) then stroked his way to a brilliant knock to put on 127 runs for the second wicket along with Karthik in 202 balls.
Dravid's decision to bat first on a belter was vindicated soon. The openers exercised extreme caution at the start, taking 3.3 overs to put the first runs on the board but that just proved to be the lull before the storm.
Jaffer broke the shackles taking two fours off a James Anderson over and a feast of rich strokes followed. He played some gorgeous strokes to give India a brilliant start and was the lone batsman to be dismissed in the first session for 35.
Karthik took 14 balls to get off the blocks and even survived a close call for leg before off Chris Tremlett when he was just five.
But once Jaffer turned on the heat, Karthik too was inspired to open up as he hit Tremlett for two fours in an over.
Dravid took over from where Jaffer had left as he immediately creamed Anderson for two glorious fours. If his first four through covers was all timing and placement, his furious cut past point in the same over let out a clear message that the Indian captain meant business.
Dravid kept the momentum going in the post-lunch session when he greeted Monty Panesar with two lovely boundaries through the off side. Another cover drive off Tremlett brought up India's 150 in 34.2 overs.
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