Streak shines but India dominate

Harare, September 21:

Zimbabwe appear to be hurtling towards an innings defeat in the second Test against India. After two days, the hosts were reeling on 39-4 in second innings trailing overall by 166 runs after India produced a total of 366. Heath Streak was the star of the day taking 6-73. And Rahul Dravid and Gautam Gambhir were both dismissed in the 90s, deceived by Blessing Mahwhire. Gambhir added just two runs to his overnight score of 95, while Dravid was bowled for 98 runs. Gambhir hit 17 fours in his 121-ball innings, while Dravid scored his runs off 237 balls hitting 14 fours.

There was a failure, meanwhile, for Sourav Ganguly (16), who gave Waddington Mwayenga his maiden Test wicket. And VVS Laxman was trapped lbw by Streak for just eight runs.

Irfan Pathan then hit a quick 32 as India stretched their lead and was then back to his day job of fast-medium left-arm bowling. Having taken nine wickets in the first Test and seven in the first innings here, Pathan collected another two as Zimbabwe’s top order imploded in the final session. Zaheer Khan got the two other wickets.