Ganguly anchors Indian reply at Delhi Stuart Carlisle, at the end of the first day, had intimated that Zimbabwe were aiming at a total in the 400-450 range. He would have been disappointed, therefore, with their final tally of 329, but more disappointed would have been young Dion Ebrahim, who was given out leg-before-wicket six runs short of his maiden Test hundred. Travis Friend knocked the ball around with the tail, making 43 off 105 balls before being caught on the fence off Harbhajan Singh. India lost Shiv Sunder Das early, and, in a surprise, skipper Sourav Ganguly walked out at number three. He was still there at the close of play, unbeaten on 78 off 169 balls. Ganguly batted first with Deep Dasgupta, then with an uncharacteristically quiet Sachin Tendulkar, and briefly with Rahul Dravid. Some life flickered in the final overs when Virender Sehwag hit Ray Price for four boundaries to reach 16 off 24 balls at the close of play, with India on 171/4.

Wright: Sourav has a big role to play India are not exactly sitting pretty at the end of the second day's play, and coach John Wright will have some thinking to do before Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag walk out on the third morning. The Kiwi was, however, upbeat about the presence of two vital players at the crease, and he has not yet lost hopes of gaining the crucial first-innings lead. Zimbabwe seem to have got to a good total. Is there pressure on the Indian batsmen now? We have done well to get Zimbabwe out for less than 350, but we cannot relax. We have lost four of our key wickets with about 180 more runs to score, which means it is up to us now to work our way up. The wicket does not really look very good, and we have to bat last, which is not easy, so we have to aim for a first-innings lead. It isn't easy but there is a lot to play for in this Test. What's your game plan for tomorrow? Sourav (Ganguly) is still there, batting well, and tomorrow he has a big role to play. He is fairly experienced so I am sure he won't let go of this opportunity of regaining his form. Viru (Sehwag) is an attacking batsman, the sort of player who can change the course of a match in a single session. The two need a start tomorrow morning. Have you observed any heartening changes in the Indian performance? Yes, Zaheer I thought has been bowling well. I am sure he knows how it is to sit out of the team. Life outside cricket can be tough for youngsters like him. He now looks hungry and bowls with pace and direction. Zaheer bowled his heart out in this match. For India, it is important bowlers like Zaheer are aware of their role, that is how they can fulfil the expectations.

Jagmohan Dalmiya likes his cricket One would expect the leading cricket official in the country to be passionate about the sport, and Jagmohan Dalmiya proved it amply on the first day of the Delhi Test. When Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Dalmiya watches cricket, nobody around him talks about anything else. "It was John Wright and Andrew Leipus who told me about how India had not done their home work as far as the on-field organisation of the game was concerned. Now I am all for what they want. My wish is for results; I have told them, give me results, and I will give you whatever you want," the Board chief was heard saying. And when someone near him dared to broach the Mike Denness affair, Dalmiya very nearly chided him publicly. "For a moment, just forget it. Let me watch cricket instead," he said.

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