India All-out On 453, Middle Order Collapse

Mohali: India batsmen Gautam Gambhir 179 (348b, 25x4, 1x6) and Rahul Dravid 136 (328b, 19x4) compiled a record 314-run partnership before spinner Graeme Swann led an England fightback in the second Test on Saturday. Dravid scored his 26th Test hundred.

The pair recorded India's highest second wicket partnership against England on day two of the final Test. India were 453 all out late in the evening following a slump after lunch in which the last nine wickets fall for 133 runs.

England openers Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook walked out to face nine remaining overs, but play was called off due to bad light. Graeme Swann, playing in his second Test, triggered the slump with three wickets for 10 runs after removing both the set. All-rounder A Flintoff and new comers GP Swann take three wickets each, while MS Panesar 2 for 89.

Reports by session
1st Session: Runs 123, Wkt 0, Ovr 33
2ns Session: Runs 54, Wkt 4, Ovr 28
3rd Session: Runs 97, Wkt 5, Ovr 25.2

Day Two Highlights

• Rahul Dravid was involved in a triple-century partnership for the fourth time in his career, joining Graeme Smith and Herschelle Gibbs who also have four to their name. Don Bradman has featured in five triple-century partnerships, the most for a batsman.
• Gautam Gambhir joined six other batsmen to go past 1000 Test runs this year. His average of 69.13 in 2008 is the second-highest among them.
• Laxman's 24-ball duck was the second-longest - in terms of balls faced - by an Indian batsman in the top seven. Sanjay Manjrekar heads the list with 25, against South Africa in Durban in 1992.

Brief Score: India 453 (Gambhir 179, Dravid 136, Flintoff 3-54) vs England
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