Green-top pitch in Lahore will help our cause

There has been lot of talk about the Lahore wicket. I think it's going to be a green one and will enhance our chances of winning, writes Sourav Ganguly.

After the win in the one-day series, it was a fabulous performance in the first Test in Multan. If there is anything called a perfect game in cricket, I think this would be one. Rahul Dravid won the toss and batted, the batsmen put up runs on the board and then the bowlers came and got the opposition out twice in two days. For a captain it was an absolute fairytale.

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Before the series there was a lot of talk about the battle between Indian batting and Pakistan bowling. Till now though, while our batsmen have stood out among the two teams, our bowling unit has quietly stolen the show. They have proved that disciplined cricket is the key to success for any team and that bowlers of the type of McGrath and Pollock are more effective than just raw pace.

I am very pleased with Sehwag's performance. Not just because he scored a triple century but because of the attitude he showed towards the team by agreeing to open in Test cricket. There were doubts thrown about his ability to play the short ball as is always the case in India but what matters the most is the runs you score not how many times you get hit.

Steve Waugh is a perfect example of that and I must say that there are few cricketers in the world who can say that they handle the short stuff at top seed easily. What matters is the way you protect your wicket.

Sachin once again played well. It was a typical Sachin-like innings. I just feel that when he sees wickets like this, he is so sure of getting a hundred that he plays like a workman and gets a ton. And then, suddenly, on a wicket which has some bounce and pace, he changes his gear and bats with a different mindset. And I think this is why he is such a great player and different from the rest.

Irfan Pathan alongwith Anil Kumble bowled well once again. The whole world is standing up and taking notice of Pathan. He is one bowler who has brought the art of swing bowling back to modern day cricket.

Rahul Dravid's captaincy has been top class. He handled his bowlers superbly.

There has been a lot of talk about the wicket in the next Test in Lahore. I presume it is going to be a green one and this will enhance our chances of winning the game.

I have always felt that we have our best chance against Pakistan as our batting is better. It is difficult to sit out of the game when the team is playing so well. But I expect to get fit and join the team on April 7 for the last Test.