The stylish V.V.S. Laxman slammed a sparkling century as India put themselves on course for a mammoth first innings total and take control of the first Test against Zimbabwe today.
Laxman not only notched up his eighth century but also became the 10th Indian to aggregate 4000 Test runs as the visitors cruised to a comfortable 325 for three at close on the second day at the Queen's Club.
The Indians made amends for an insipid opening day show as they polished off Zimbabwe's first innings for just 279, an addition of just 14 runs from their overnight score of 265 for seven, and then scored at a brisk pace for a lead of 46 runs by the end of what turned out to be a productive day for the visitors.
Paceman Irfan Pathan needed just 17 balls to snare up the three remaining Zimbabwean wickets to finish with an impressive five for 58, his fourth five-wicket haul in his brief Test career.
The Indians then launched a blistering assault on the hapless Zimbabwe bowlers and maintained the momentum right through the day with Rahul Dravid (77), Virender Sehwag (46) and Gautam Gambhir (44) being the other notable contributors.
Laxman, unbeaten on 125, had two important stands of 130 and 97 runs with Dravid (77) andSaurav Ganguly (23 not out) as India made the most of perfect batting conditions. Laxman arrived at the crease soon after lunch after openerGambhir became the second Indian wicket to fall for 46.
The genial batsman batted with uncommon caution till tea during which he only aimed to play in the V and cut out on his wristy strokes.
Indeed it was Dravid who seemed in sublime form as he drove, cut and flicked with the stamp of a batsman who is regarded one of the best in the world.
But Dravid departed after tea, cutting a ball too close on him to lone slip Brendon Taylor, having batted for 117 balls and hit 10 fours.
But it was the signal which Laxman needed to shift a couple of gears in his batting effortlessly.
Laxman took a heavy toll of Zimbabwe debutant off-spinner Gavin Ewing whom he pulled and lofted on the onside for boundaries but there were also sumptuous flicks off fast bowlers on theon-side.
Laxman finally reached his century with a cover driven four against Andy Blignaut in the final hour and pumped his fist as if to show how much the innings mattered to him.
Laxman also raised a couple of important landmarks for himself during his innings.
He completed his 4000 runs in Test cricket when on 39 and his innings is also the highest by an Indian in Zimbabwe, going past the 118 by Dravid on a tour here seven seasons ago. Ganguly was cautious to start with but two fours off Heath Streak in one over also put him in course for a substantial innings.
Zimbabwe opted for the second new ball with two overs remaining for the day but it didn't bring any cheers.
So far Laxman has batted for 242 minutes and faced 186 balls hitting 18 fours.
Earlier, Sehwag had begun in his customary attacking fashion but his dismissal was also similar in the sense that a good start had been wasted.
Sehwag had smashed six fours and a six from 48 balls on his way to 44 before a delivery from Blessing Mahwire sneaked between his bat and pad to hit the stumps.
Gambhir too wasted a confident start when he flashed lordly from his position at a delivery from Mahwire and was plucked brilliantly by Taylor in the slips.
Umpire Daryl Harper left the field midway through the second session and third umpire Russell Tiffin took his place in the centre.
Harper wasn't to return for the rest of the day.
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PTI
