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Sourav Ganguly
Partnerships - Stats
2nd Test
India v Sri Lanka
Runs91
Overs26.1
Minutes111
Rahul Dravid

Ganguly and Dravid: Matchwinning association

Going into the second match of a three-Test series with the score line reading 0-1 is as difficult a task as can be handed to a captain. Sourav Ganguly was in that very position against Australia at home, and managed to come out on top, riding on the backs of the heroics of VVS Laxman and Harbhajan Singh. In Sri Lanka however, if there were any fireworks, they came off the flowing blade of Ganguly himself. Till Ganguly found his touch of old, Rahul Dravid held fort.

It's a partnership that began way back in 1996 at the Mecca of cricket, Lord's. The pair made their debut in the same match, with Ganguly stroking his way to a delectable ton while Dravid just missed out, making 95. The conditions were very different at the hot and humid Asgiriya Stadium in Kandy. The fighting spirit however, had not waned in the least. Dravid took on the spinner, Muthiah Muralitharan, from the word go, driving the ball to the cover-point fence as soon as the spinner came on. Flicking well, the Karnataka southpaw peppered the midwicket region with firm strokes.

When Sadagoppan Ramesh edged a ball from Dilhara Fernando to the slip cordon, out strode the Indian captain. It was not an easy time to be at the crease. With only the inexperienced Mohammed Kaif and Hemang Badani to follow, it was imperative that Ganguly make no mistakes. Against some quality fast bowling from Chaminda Vaas and Fernando, Ganguly struggled initially on a pitch that offered more than a bit for the quick men. However, realising the responsibility on his shoulders, Ganguly steadfastly defied the bowlers.

After his initial spell, Ganguly quickly grew in confidence. Coming down the wicket in characteristic fashion he sent the ball skidding to the ropes with gay abandon. Slashing drives through the covers meant that Ganguly had reclaimed his beloved off side. In an association of 26.1 overs Ganguly and Dravid added an invaluable 91 runs and set up the victory platform. While Dravid fell on 75 (184 mins, 123 balls, 12 fours), Ganguly went on to take India to victory. When Kaif flicked a boundary and thereby hit the winning runs, Ganguly was stranded on 98 (187 mins, 152 balls, 15 fours).

The Ganguly-Dravid partnership won India a Test match and is eminently qualified to be a 5 Star partnership.

 
Chocolate
"The superiority of chocolate (hot chocolate), both for health and nourishment, will soon give it the same preference over tea and coffee in America which it has in Spain..."
-Thomas Jefferson, 1785 letter to John Adams

Chocolate and Nutrients
Chocolate provides a number of nutrients the body requires daily. A milk chocolate bar weighing 1.4 ounces contains about three grams of protein, fifteen percent of the Daily Value of riboflavin, nine percent of the Daily Value for calcium and seven percent of the Daily Value for iron.

Almonds and peanuts added to chocolate increase the nutrients in a bar. This is particularly true for protein. Milk chocolate bars with almonds also have increased amounts of calcium, iron and riboflavin.




Results & Scores
Sri Lanka won by an innings and 77 runs
India 234 & 299 (124.5 ov)
Sri Lanka 610/6d
[Scorecard]



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