AHMEDABAD
Hopes of a gripping final day at Ahmedabad came to nothing as India battedtheir way to a tame draw, ensuring that they cannot lose the series. The twocaptains called a halt after India had reached 198 for 3 to preserve their 1-0lead ahead of next week's final Test at Bangalore. But England can take heartfrom a substantial improvement on their performance in the first Test, which ifmaintained could still secure them a share in the series.
The outcome of the match was pretty clear after England failed to dislodgeIndia's openers in the first session. Chasing an unlikely victory target of 374,Shiv Sunder Das and Deep Dasgupta took India to 92 without loss by lunch. In aslow-going session, India eventually reached the 50 mark in the 25th over. Dasreached his 1,000th run in Test cricket with a square cut for four off Dawson,repeating the stroke with the same result in Dawson's next over. He went to his50 with a single off the last ball before the interval.
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The hundred came up in the 42nd over as Das nudged Giles around the cornerbehind square. The placid nature of the pitch was apparent when an attemptedbouncer from White sailed gently past Dasgupta's off stump at medium height.Dawson's return to the attack raised the tempo a fraction, with a Dasguptaboundary through extra cover, a close shout for lbw, and Dasgupta's 50, reachedoff 150 balls with five boundaries.
It took a run-out to break the deadlock, as Das called for a a risky secondafter glancing Dawson towards fine leg. An excellent throw from Giles wasgathered safely by James Foster, who broke the wicket with Das marginally shortof his ground. The crowd's view of India's approach was illustrated by thecheering which greeted Das's dismissal for 58. They wanted Sachin Tendulkar buthad to wait, as Rahul Dravid appeared in his customary position at number three.
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Dawson secured a second breakthrough when Dasgupta, on 60, pushed forward andwas caught after a brief juggle by Mark Butcher at silly point off pad and bat.India were 124 for two and Tendulkar's entrance brought the crowd's customaryroar of excitement. He unravelled a crunching square cut as Dawson droppedshort, and Dravid clipped White through midwicket, but as tea approached therewas little else to excite the crowd.
As a draw became inevitable, Dawson found a good one which turned on toTendulkar, and the resulting edge into his pad presented Michael Vaughan with astraightforward catch at short leg. Tendulkar walked off without waiting for adecision. England took the new ball in the 92nd over, by which time the resultwas a foregone conclusion. Although Andrew Flintoff again did his best to roughup Sourav Ganguly, the Indian captain responded aggressively and stayed withDravid until the close.
