Tremendous run-rate, but honours even

As the South African coach Tim Nielson had said, the first eighteen overs were going to be extremely critical for India today before the new ball came into play.

India did not disappoint and went about the task at the rate of a very healthy 4.5 per over, adding 81 runs in those 18 overs.

Though they did lose one wicket, a critical one of Sourav Ganguly to Hogg, which prompted Ponting to continue for few more overs with the old ball. That also meant Yuvraj may have got some more time to settle against the spinners.

Ganguly, 21 off 27 balls overnight, was the one who took the initiative, eventually finishing at 67 off 78 balls. Which mean 51 deliveries to him today went for 46 runs -- a splendid strike-rate of 90.2. That was some tremendous work for sure. Though India would have loved to have a big hundred from him.