Harbhajan strikes early to put England on backfoot

By IANS,

Mohali : Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh struck early to wrap up England’s first innings for 302 as India took a lead of 160 runs at lunch on the fourth day of the second cricket Test here Monday.


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India were nine for no loss in the second innings, with Gautam Gambhir batting on eight and Virender Sehwag on one at the lunch break after a delayed start of over two hours due to dense fog at Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium.

Harbhajan picked up four for 68 while Zaheer Khan scalped three for 76 to bowl out England shortly before lunch. India made 453 in the first innings.

Resuming at the overnight score of 282 for six, England lower-order batsmen succumbed to Harbhajan. The off spinner struck with the first ball of the third over removing Matt Prior (2) caught by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Harbhajan’s ‘doosra’ turned out to be too hot for Stuart Broad (1) while Graeme Swann’s (3) stumps were rattled by Zaheer Khan’s pitched up delivery. Harbhajan tossed it up again as Monty Panesar (5) lobbed it to forward short-leg.

Indian openers came out to bat for just two overs and Gambhir played two trademark boundaries off his legs to send worry signals for England.

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