Associated Press

Mohali, March 9:

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

Sehwag’s blazing 166-minute knock lifted India to 184/1 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 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 off Mohammad Sami and on 82 by Younis Khan off leg-spinner Danish Kaneria.

Kaneria claimed the only wicket to fall when he had Gambhir caught by Naved at mid-on. Dravid’s composed 86-minute knock contained six fours off 80 deliveries.

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