New Delhi, Nov 23 : India’s middle-order batsman VVS Laxman admitted that the wicket of Mahendra Singh Dhoni fell at a wrong time, leaving the team tottering at 208 for six just ahead of the close of the second day’s play of the first Test match against Pakistan at the Ferozshah Kotla Stadium here today.

Pointing out that the match was “equally poised” at the moment, Laxman told reporters at the close of the day’s play that India would have been in a lot better position to resume the innings tomorrow morning had Dhoni continued his knock.

“We would have been able to put the pressure on the Pakistani team tomorrow morning had Dhoni’s wicket not fallen at the that point,” he said, adding that losing wicket in the last session is always a wrong time. 

Laxman, who is unbeaten at 57 along with skipper Anil Kumble (7), further said that the morning session of the third day would be very crucial for both teams. The stylish Hyderbad cricketer added that it would be important for India to get as much lead as possible in the first innings.

He was lavish in praise for the Pakistani bowling attack, saying pacers Shoaib Akhtar and Sohail Tanvir bowled “very well.”

“Shoaib bowled the best,” Laxman added.

He also admitted that it is difficult to understand Tanvir’s bowling action.

“Tanvir is very different kind of bowler and it would take time to get used to his action,” he said.

Pakistani spinner Danish Kaneria, who addressed the media on behalf of the visiting team, also said that the match is currently well balanced.

He said that Pakistan would try to give India a target of around 290-300 in the second innings.

“If we give a good target, it will be tough for Indians to score, as the bounce is very low and wicket is also getting slower day by day,” Kaneria said, adding that though there is no crack on the wicket as yet due to lack of enough sunlight, but ball is spinning nicely.

Commenting on today’s play, he said the run-out of Sachin Tendulkar was the turning point, while the fall of swashbuckling wicketkeeper-batsman Dhoni would also benefit the Pakistani team a lot.

At the end of today’s play, India were 228 for six— three runs behind Pakistan’s first innings score of 231.

Earlier this morning, Indian top order failed to bother scorers much by losing wickets at regular intervals. At one stage, the score was 93 for 5. But thanks to 115-run stand between Laxman and Dhoni for sixth wicket, the hosts are now in a position to give lead to the visiting team. (ANI)