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Sehwag spurs India's strong reply in opening test

Virender Sehwag's unbeaten 95 spurred a strong Indian reply against Pakistan on Wednesday after rain delayed the start of the second day's play in the first cricket test by more than three hours.

Sehwag's blazing 166-minute knock lifted India to 184 for one on the second day in reply to Pakistan's first-innings total of 312.
Making Pakistan pay dearly for two dropped catches, Sehwag struck 12 boundaries and a six over third man off pace bowler Rana Neved-ul-Hasan. He shared a 113-run opening stand with Gautam Gambhir (41) and 71 runs for the unbroken second-wicket partnership with Rahul Dravid (39 not out).

Sehwag was on the verge of posting his ninth century in 32 tests when play was called off due to fading light 10 overs before the rescheduled close of play, after play began three hours and 40 minutes late due to a persistent drizzle.

Sehwag was dropped on 15 by Taufeeq Umar at third slip off paceman Mohammad Sami and on 82 by vice captain Younis Khan at first slip off leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.

Kaneria claimed the only Indian wicket to fall when he had Gambhir caught by Naved-ul-Hasan at mid-on.

Dravid's composed 86-minute knock contained six boundaries off 80 deliveries.

The overcast sky and rain in the morning was disappointing for the sizable crowd that came to witness the match, but thousands of spectators remained in the stands and waited outside the entry gates for play to begin.

Umpires Rudi Koertzen from South Africa and Australian Darrel Hair examined the ground conditions after early morning showers. The second inspection could only be done after lunch, but the ground staff quickly mopped up the outfield.