India won another closely-fought match with Pakistan to take a 2-1 lead in the five-game one-day international series.

Yuvraj Singh produced another fine innings for India, making 77 and putting on 100 with Mahendra Dhoni (49) as the home side amassed 294-6.

Salman Butt scored a wonderful 129 - his highest ODI score - as Pakistan recovered from a poor start, but only Misbah-ul-Haq (38) offered any support.

RP Singh took 3-62 as India bowled Pakistan out for 248 from 47.2 overs.

By Mark Mitchener

606: DEBATE Have your say on the action in Kanpur on 606

E-mail tms@bbc.co.uk (with 'For Mark Mitchener' in the subject), text 81111 (with "CRICKET" as your first word) or use 606. (Not all contributions can be used)

1137: It's been a long morning/night/whatever - many thanks to those of you who have followed this game since the wee small hours, you really are "hardcore". Thanks for your e-mails and texts - we couldn't have got through the day without you.

The really good news for all you Ben Dirs fans out there is that he will be back in this seat for the live text on the last two ODIs, on Thursday and next Sunday. Luckily for him, they're day-nighters (so a reasonable time for UK viewers). That's it from me - enjoy what's left of your weekend, I can't wait to get a good night's sleep...

1126: So, what about man of the match? Clearly Butt was the highest scorer, but perhaps Yuvraj deserves a shout for his batting, bowling and vital run-out.

"What is it with these two teams and thrilling high-scoring matches? If it was England, you'd know that they'll reliably fold up whenever there's pressure. But with India and Pakistan..."
Silverplumes on 606

INDIA WON BY 46 RUNS - AND TAKE 2-1 LEAD IN SERIES

47.2 overs - WICKET - Gul c sub (Sharma) b Zaheer Khan - Pkn 248 all out
In a situation like this, it's no good blocking, you might as well go out in a blaze of glory - and after Gul slogs a single, Shoaib swings the second ball of the over high into the air where substitute fielder Rohit Sharma gratefully accepts the catch.

47th over - Pkn 247-9
Last man Umar Gul gets off the mark with a single, but they need an unlikely 48 off 18 balls now.

46.5 overs - WICKET - Butt lbw b Harbhajan 129 - Pkn 246-9
The Indian fans are in good voice now - their arch rivals need 51 from 24 balls, and number 10 Shoaib Akhtar is now the man who must support Salman Butt. Butt takes a single off the first ball, Shoaib does likewise, but after Butt is tied down for a couple of deliveries, Harbhajan traps him in front while attempting to heave across the line. Well batted Mr Butt, but I'm afraid you lacked a bit of support today.

"Dear Mark, let me say with complete sincerity, the fact that you and your colleagues have been up all night bringing us the latest from the clash of the titans, is something to be admired, maybe it's perhaps you guys are being paid too well [Some chance - MM] or maybe you just enjoy being a night owl, no matter, just keep up the good work and know that I and 30 something folks out there will be with you all the way"
Ahmed Bashe, Somalia, in the TMS inbox

46th over - WICKET - Rehman b RP Singh 2 - Pkn 244-8
Butt swipes through the covers for two, then blasts a four through the same area, leaving them needing 54 off 28 balls - a tall order in anyone's book. After RP strays with a wide, a legside pull can only earn Butt a single, while Rehman does the same to rotate the strike. Butt dabs a single, but RP, going around the wicket, cleans Rehman up with the last ball of the over as he was going for a big hit.

45th over - Pkn 234-7
It's time to spin again as Harbhajan returns. Butt is now partnered by Abdur Rehman, but they can only manage three singles between them from the over, so the game looks to be slipping away from Pakistan.

44th over - WICKET - Tanvir run out 0 - Pkn 231-7
Butt flicks the next ball away for four, but then there's an unholy mix-up as both batsmen are caught out of their ground. But RP Singh makes a horlicks of breaking the stumps at the bowler's end, which means he can't run Butt out as he'd been trying to. Tanvir makes a token effort to return to the unoccupied wicket-keeper's end and is run out without facing a ball.

43.4 overs - WICKET - Akmal c Harbhajan b RP Singh 2 - Pkn 226-6
We may have seen our last over of spin as despite Kartik's wicket, RP Singh is recalled. He has four overs left so could well bowl the 44th, 46th, 48th and 50th. Butt glances a single off his legs, before Akmal clubs him for a well-run two. However, it's all over for Akmal as he then hits one straight down mid-on's throat.

43rd over - Pkn 223-5
New batsman is wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal, who looks on from the non-striker's end as Butt lofts a skier which lands safely between midwicket and long-on and they run two. Butt then runs one down to third man for a couple, and smashes Pathan to backward point for four, taking him past his previous highest ODI score. A smart single sees him snare the strike as they need 72 runs from 42 balls.

42nd over - WICKET - Misbah-ul-Haq b Kartik 38 - Pkn 214-5
Butt and Misbah may now look to accelerate against Kartik. He's going to bowl over the wicket and guess what, there's another delay for the sightscreen to be moved. After they knock around some ones and twos, Kartik sends down a legside full toss which Misbah despatches to the cow corner boundary. But Kartik has the last laugh as he floats one in and bowls Misbah, just when he looked in form.

"Pakistan needs a another solid partnership as they did in the last match, there's a hope that they can chase this amount of rund if they don't lose any wickets"
Kes Khan in the TMS inbox

41st over - Pkn 205-4
MIsbah hooks Pathan and is dropped by RP Singh at long leg and they run a single which brings up the Pakistan 200. Butt then reaches his fourth ODI hundred off 118 balls (with 14 fours) with a nudged single to leg. (His highest ODI score is 108 not out, having scored 101 twice). Misbah guides a slower ball to Harbhajan at third man, and they run two.

40th over - Pkn 199-4
Kartik trundles away for another over. He's spearing them in quite quickly and Butt sweeps to take him to 99. All his previous three ODI tons have come against India. Will he "do a Tendulkar" though and succumb on 99?!

39th over - Pkn 192-4
At this stage, it's 109 runs needed off 72 balls. The Tendulkar experiment is strangled at birth, and Pathan returns to the attack. Dhoni is standing up to the stumps (wearing a helmet), so they will be trying to prevent quick singles. Misbah steers one to third man where Harbhajan can't quite stop it from going over the rope - and appears to have ripped his trousers at the knee. He tries another big hit but gets a bottom edge which just veers away from his stumps. Dhoni then makes a smart stop when Butt, on 94, tries to nudge one down the leg side. Six from the over.

38th over - Pkn 186-4
New bowler, same action as Kartik returns in place of Yuvraj, but the runs continue to flow for Misbah and Butt, as the 50 partnership comes up off 61 balls.

37th over - Pkn 179-4
It is Tendulkar, replacing Harbhajan who has bowled eight overs. Tendulkar's repertoire stretches to both kinds of spin (as well as gentle medium pace) - and he shows his versatility by bowling off-spin, over the wicket, to the left-handed Butt, before going around the wicket and bowling leg-spin to the right-handed Misbah. If bowling Tendulkar was an experiment, then it's not totally successful as his over garners three singles, two twos and a four (to Butt) - a total of 11 runs off the over.

36th over - Pkn 168-4
Misbah nudges a single and then Butt goes aerial against Yuvraj, clubbing one back over the bowler's head for four before pulling one to midwicket from which they can only take one.

35th over - Pkn 161-4
The "new" (old) ball is introduced. Harbhajan tosses a couple up which Butt swings and misses at. Tendulkar is warming up, will he get a bowl? Ganguly bowled very tidily in the last game, we haven't seen him turn his arm over yet either. Misbah goes for a big heave but can only get a single. Butt then finally comes out of his shell with a pull for four off the final delivery.

34th over - Pkn 155-4
Butt tries to hit out against Yuvraj, but finds the fielder on the cow corner boundary and they can only take a single. Butt then attempts another big shot but misses, Dhoni whips the bails off and the third umpire's verdict is summoned. It's a close one - did he get his back foot back between the line in time? The third umpire, he say "not out". But another fairly tight over from left-armer Yuvraj.

33rd over - Pkn 152-4
Yet more sightscreen adjustment is needed before Harbhajan can resume with his seventh over. Misbah and Butt are still pushing the singles, while one that spins prodigiously to the leg side is ruled to be a wide, and brings up the Pakistan 150.

"On the Remembrance Day silence - you say you'll observe it 'assuming the match is still going on?' Given the slagging you got in the last match, it seems a bit brazen to put the commentator's curse on the WHOLE of the rest of the Pakistan batsmen"
Paul in Lancs in the TMS inbox

32nd over - Pkn 147-4
Yuvraj goes over the wicket to the left-handed Butt. He and Misbah continue to rotate the strike, and a drinks break is called.

31st over - Pkn 143-4
Harbhajan keeps two or three close fieldsmen and restricts both Butt and Misbah to singles.

30th over - Pkn 139-4
Misbah takes a single to bring Butt back on strike. He's put his helmet back on, even though it's still spin from both ends - so will he be sweeping? He works Yuvraj away to leg for a single. Yuvraj gets a bit of turn outside Misbah's outside edge, but when Misbah tries to slog-sweep him, not only does the chance fall short of Irthan Pathan, but Pathan makes a mess of the fielding and they run one.

29th over - Pkn 136-4
Butt takes a single off Harbhajan's fifth over - despite beginning with a flurry of boundaries, he hasn't hit one for the last 35 balls he's faced. Misbah - is he wasted as low as number six, or should he be there as the team's "finisher"? Either way, he's off the mark with a single, but it's just two singles off the over.

28th over - Pkn 134-4
New batsman is Misbah-ul-Haq, and he defends the rest of the over.

27.3 overs - WKT - Malik lbw b Yuvraj 12 - Pkn 134-4
162 runs are needed from 23 overs. Butt takes a single off new bowler Yuvraj Singh, who replaces Kartik and is still wearing his sunglasses to bowl - though it may just be to avoid the glare from Malik's flourescent green pads. But not even the pads can save the Pakistan skipper when Malik is hit on the pad by a straight one, and his patient knock of 12 is over.

27th over - Pkn 133-3
With the spinners on, Butt has exchanged his helmet for a green cap. He pushes a single, but Malik is denied when Harbhajan swoops to field off his own bowling. Just that one single from the over.

26th over - Pkn 132-3
Butt prods Kartik for a single, while the left-armer then fires one down the leg side which evades Dhoni and disappears for five wides.

"I'm working in a call centre and have been told to put customers on hold for two minutes at 11am, can you imagine your frustration if you were the customer?!"
Michael, Lancs, in the TMS inbox

25th over - Pkn 126-3
Harbhajan still has two slips in place, but they are unable to prevent Butt scampering a single. Malik forces one down to long leg, where a sprawling stop is unable to prevent the ball from going for four. A legside wide boosts the total. We're at the halfway stage.

24th over - Pkn 120-3
Butt works Kartik to long-on for a single, while some sharp fielding has Malik back in his crease. He and Butt take a single each - three from the over and Pakistan are a little becalmed.

23rd over - Pkn 117-3
Harbhajan rattles through an over, which yields just one run to Butt off the final ball.

"Can I assume you'll be observing a minute's live text 'silence' at 1100 GMT, in keeping with Remembrance Day?"
Paul in Lancs in the TMS inbox[If the match is still going on at 1100, I was hoping to do so - MM]

22nd over - Pkn 116-3
It's double spin time, as slow left-armer Murali Kartik makes his first meaningful contribution to the match, having not been required to bat. Malik finds the boundary for the first time, while Kartik has an lbw shout against Butt but ump Ian Gould says "too high".

21st over - Pkn 110-3
Finally, we have some spin, and it's time for off-break bowler Harbhajan Singh, alias "The Turbanator". His second ball is a wide, while Malik prods a single. Dhoni brings in two slips for the left-handed Butt, and it's just two runs from the over.

20th over - Pkn 108-3
Last over of the powerplays. Butt plays and misses to Zaheer's seventh over. He takes a single and Malik is then off the mark with a leg-glance for one. Don't forget, 606 is now open for business - get involved and let us know what you think of the game.

19th over - Pkn 106-3
Pathan continues with his seventh over, and Butt prods a single to get the skipper on strike. For those of you who may have followed the ODI in Mohali, Malik is still wearing those bright flourescent green pads which are brighter than any of his team-mates'.

18th over - Pkn 105-3
The new batsman is captain Shoaib Malik. Butt takes a single to pinch the strike.

17.4 overs - WICKET - Yousuf run out (Yuvraj) 16 - Pkn 104-3
Zaheer sends down a legside wide, then Butt drives fiercely but it bounces well in front of mid-on. A delicate dab to third man and they set off for a quick single - Yousuf may have been in trouble if the throw had hit, but it didn't. Then, Yousuf prods one to Yuvraj at backward point and they set off for a suicidal quick single, you don't do that to as good a fielder as Yuvraj is... his throw hits the stumps at the bowler's end and umpire Gould doesn't even need to consult the third umpire. He's gone!

17th over - Pkn 102-2
Butt's 50 contained 10 fours and just six singles, for those of you who may take note of such things. Yousuf nudges a single to bring up the Pakistan 100, and he and Butt keep pushing the ones and twos. When should we see some spin, do you think?

16th over - Pkn 98-2
After a much-needed drinks break, Butt tries to hit Zaheer over the top and it flies away to the backward point boundary where Pathan fields just inside the rope. They take two. Some slightly curious fielding brings up Butt's 50 as an on-drive bisects two fielders when you would have expected at least one to have got the ball.

"Always great to wake up to an exciting cricket match. Do you get overtime for having to come in at stupid o'clock in the morning, Mark? [Not sure - MM] Or a bonus for having to give up your Saturday night out? Assuming, of course, you do get an early night before these things..."
Alex, Engfefield Green, in the TMS inbox
[You're assuming there I'd have anything better to do on a Saturday night anyway - MM]

15th over - Pkn 90-2
A very well-timed shot from Yousuf steers Pathan for four between backward point and third man. Dhoni brings in a slip, and the rest of the over is unremarkable.

14th over - Pkn 86-2
Zaheer keeps it tight against Butt, with Tendulkar still in that short mid-off position. Indeed, Zaheer sends down a maiden over as Butt has difficulty coping with Zaheer's line from bowling around the wicket.

13th over - Pkn 86-2
RP takes a rest after six overs and Pathan returns for his fourth. A clumsy Tendulkar misfield at cover allows Younus a single, while a Butt cover-drive also rotates the strike.

12th over - Pkn 84-2
Zaheer heads around the wicket to Yousuf, who prods a single into the leg side. Butt has a couple of goes at piercing the ring of cover fielders, and eventually finds a space wide of mid-off for a single.

11th over - Pkn 81-2
Umpire Saheba signals the second powerplay, and RP is still bowling around the wicket but Yousuf, playing his 250th ODI, is off the mark in typical fashion, cover-driving his first ball for four. After he tickles a single down to third man, Butt also profits from a nudge through third man for four.

10th over - Pkn 72-2
India may sense a chance to turn the screw here as Dhoni brings in Tendulkar at a short mid-off position against Butt, similar to that employed by England against Matthew Hayden in the last two Ashes series. There's a bit of banter as he tries not to collide with the non-striker (new batsman Mohammad Yousuf), who moves wider of the crease. But banter or not, it's worked as that's a maiden over for Zaheer.

9th over - WICKET - Younus b RP Singh 21 - Pkn 72-2
Younus steps across his stumps as RP Singh raps him on the pad, and it hits him well outside off-stump, despite RP's loud appeal. He does get the erstwhile Yorkshire player to play and miss outside off-stump, and hit the ball in the air but safely. But shockingly, off the last ball of the over, Younus steps forward but leaves one which bowls him! It was almost the proverbial perfect ball, pitching on a length and hitting the top of off-stump.

8th over - Pkn 70-1
After a couple of expensive overs, India need to put the brakes on and they introduce Zaheer Khan in place of Pathan. But Butt shows no respect for the new bowler by crashing him through the covers for four. Dhoni tries to shuffle his field but to no avail as Butt pulls another four - his eighth - through midwicket. Zaheer's response is to move to bowl around the wicket - and he shamefully appeals for lbw with one which pitched well outside the left-handed Butt's leg stump.

"Surprise, surprise, Afridi bowled after a great outing last time around and big things expected... there is a reason we Pakistanis love to hate him..."
Omar, New Jersey, USA, in the TMS inbox

7th over - Pkn 62-1
Butt pierces the Indian infield twice as first Ganguly and then particularly Kartik let a couple of soft fours through, which take the visitors past 50. Indian fielding coach Robin Singh will no doubt be taking notes. Younus shows a good sense of timing to steer the ball through the cover fieldsmen for the 11th four of the innings. He carves another through the same region, and that's 17 from the over.

6th over - Pkn 45-1
Yet more people have to be told to move away from the edge of the sightscreens as Pathan bowls to Younus, and has a big shout for a caught-behind but it flicked off his thigh pad. Younus off-drives cleanly and it evades the diving Zaheer Khan at mid-off and it goes for four. Younus then rocks onto his back foot and carves Pathan down to point for a single, while the singles are flowing freely for Butt too.

5th over - Pkn 37-1
Younus straight-drives RP for four, but RP is getting a bit of swing and tries to go around the wicket to the right-handed Younus. This, of course, requires those pesky signtscreens to be moved once again. Younus takes a single.

4th over - Pkn 32-1
The stage is set for Younus Khan, who won the man-of-the-match award in the last game in Mohali for his century. He's off the mark with a single, and then Butt finds the gap with a slightly improvised pull towards cow corner for four.

3.2 overs - WICKET - Afridi b Pathan 12 - Pkn 27-1
I'm sure Pathan would settle for a maiden against Afridi... he dabs one towards midwicket for an easy two. Pathan strays with a wide, Dhoni puts a leg slip in - and Afridi is clean bowled having a big heave down the wrong line! An awful shot!

3rd over - Pkn 24-0
RP keeps Butt tied down, and a maiden over slows Pakistan's scoring rate.

2nd over - Pkn 24-0
Irfan Pathan is handed the new ball ahead of Zaheer Khan, and fortune favours Butt when he swipes Pathan's first delivery past second slip for four. He then uses his feet well to hammer a boundary through the covers - but rides his luck once more when he edges past Tendulkar at first slip for four.

1st over - Pkn 11-0
Pakistan are certainly serving notice of their intentions - sending out Shahid Afridi to open with Salman Butt, who will take strike. RP Singh opening up for India, and after Butt requests the sightscreens to be moved, he takes a single off the first ball. Afridi wastes no time in going over the top, hoisting his first ball over mid-on for four. He aims a similar mow off his second delivery and misses the ball, while he gets a thin edge off his third and it drops in front of keeper Dhoni. He doesn't quite get hold of the next one which goes past mid-on but only yields two. The last ball of the over pierces the infield and evades the diving boundary fielder - 11 off the first over!

0719: Right, I'm off for a quick break - be back soon.

INDIA INNINGS

50th over - Ind 294-6
Harbhajan slogs a single off the first ball from Gul, Pathan digs out a yorker but can only take one. Harbhajan tries an unorthodox flick towards fine leg but although it skews out towards midwicket, they still run a single. Pathan drives a full-length ball to mid-on for a single - two balls left. The penultimate ball is a little shorter and Harbhajan drives towards extra cover for two. The "last" ball is a no-ball, which Harbhajan hits for a single to leg, so Pathan has a free hit off the last ball. Pathan tries a big hit but just gets two to third man.

49th over - Ind 284-6
Harbhajan scampers a single before Pathan gives it some long handle against Rehman, lifting him over long-on for six. A single returns Harbhajan to the strike, and he clubs his fellow spinner for two towards cow corner. After he takes a single, Pathan hits out to long-off and is superbly caught... by a young Indian boy wearng a white cap standing just the other side of the advertising boards! Another six! That's 17 from the penultimate over.

48th over - Ind 267-6
Gul's first ball to new batsman Harbhajan (who was warned about running on the wicket as he took guard) is a wide, and he can only dig out a single before the end of the over.

"Great commentating, keep up the good job, is there any radio commentary though?"
Sony from Hillingdon, via text[Not for this series - but the TMS team will return for the Sri Lanka v England Tests - MM]

47.2 overs - WICKET - Uthappa b Gul 19 - Ind 265-6
Gul's back to bowl the 48th and 50th overs. Uthappa drives the first ball straight to a fielder, and calls for a new bat. But before one can be summoned, he swings and misses again and Gul cleans up his middle stump.

47th over - Ind 265-5
Uthappa tries another reverse-sweep, and this time it goes for four. Buoyed by that, he tries the same shot again but completely misses the ball. A single means he keeps the strike ahead of new batsman Irfan Pathan. 14 from the over.

46.3 overs - WICKET - Yuvraj c Misbah b Rehman 77 - Ind 260-5
Rehman trundles in, and Uthappa joins the party when he gives himself room and whacks Rehman back over his head for six. He then tries a reverse sweep which doesn't go quite where he anticipated, but they manage a single anyway. Malik must be tearing his hair out as Rehman sends down back-to-back legside wides. Yuvraj's innings is finally ended when he hoists a skier towards midwicket and Misbah-ul-Haq sinks to his knees to take the catch just inside the rope.

46th over - Ind 251-4
Shoaib stays on for his last over, and Yuvraj drives him back down the ground for a single. After that, Shoaib has Uthappa a little tied down until he off-drives to long-off and they run a couple. A full toss is despatched to the same area, but they can only run a single. Yuvraj prods what they think is Shoaib's last ball towards square leg and they come back for two. But the square-leg umpire signals "no-ball" as Pakistan only had three men inside the fielding circle. That's just downright careless.

"These cricket games will be the death of me, it is the second time my boss has caught me following the game and I am sure that if he catches me again, it will be adios for my incredibly boring job, but what can I do about that, a man's gotta do, what a man's gotta do especially if he considers himself a die-hard cricket fan, right?"
Ahmed Bashe, 9:38 am in Somalia, in the TMS inbox

"It's 1:45 in Maryland and I am still waiting for the fireworks in the last few overs... feverishly hitting the refresh button... Keep up the good work"
Kausik Shastri in the TMS inbox

45th over - Ind 244-4
Interesting change of bowling from Pakistan - left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman is back, as they need at least three of the last six overs from spin. Uthappa sensibly takes a single to get Yuvraj on strike, and Yuvraj sweeps finely for four. He's then alert enough to run two to the cover boundary. A single keeps him on strike.

44th over - Ind 234-4
Happy birthday, Robin Uthappa - he's 22 today and replaces Dhoni at the crease. He's immediately off the mark with a single to leg. Shoaib is varying his pace well at the moment, and Yuvraj is only able to dab him away for a single. Uthappa works another one off his hip to long leg, where a combination of Mohammad Yousuf and Younus Khan restrict them to two runs. He keeps the strike after nudging the last ball down to third man.

43.1 overs - WICKET - Dhoni b Shoaib 49 - Ind 229-3
With Tanvir's spell compete, Shoaib returns - and makes the breakthrough as Dhoni gets an inside edge to a well-disguised fast off-break and it sends his stumps tumbling!

43rd over - Ind 229-3
Umar Gul returns - he has three overs left. Dhoni takes a single to extra cover, and Yuvraj works Gul away for a well-run two. Yuvraj then slices one to third man and scampers a single despite his bat flying out of his hand. Dhoni reaches 48 with another powerful square cut which finds a fielder, and after Yuvraj digs one out, Dhoni keeps the strike with another single which takes him to 49 and brings up the 100 partnership.

42nd over - Ind 222-3
It's Tanvir's last over, and India may be content just to see him off, knowing they have a few overs against the less successful bowlers to come. They take a couple of singles each, and Tanvir's last ball is a swing-and-a-miss from Yuvraj. The left-armer finishes with figures of 10-1-26-2.

41st over - Ind 218-3
Afridi's still on, and these two will want to attack him while they can. Yuvraj reaches his 32nd ODI fifty with a four to leg, then launches a lofted six over long-off. A single brings Dhoni on strike, and he clubs one towards long-on where a poor stop by Gul nearly gives India an overthrow.

40th over - Ind 205-3
A change of bowling as Tanvir returns for his ninth over. Akmal tries to gee up the fielders, clapping his gloves together, but Tanvir remains economical as the over yields just three singles and a leg-bye. A better over for Pakistan - but Tanvir only has one left now, and Shoaib two. Eyes down for the last 10.

"Can we get that old ball back?"
Omar, New Jersey, USA, in the TMS inbox

"There's me and couple of hundred Indians, hanging on your every word in a factory in Dubai, so that increases your global audience a fair bit"
Paul in Dubai in the TMS inbox

39th over - Ind 200-3
Another careless wide from Afridi gifts India a run to start the over with, while Dhoni cuts for two to bring up the India 200. This fourth-wicket stand is already worth 71 - Yuvraj has 44 and Dhoni is on 42.

38th over - Ind 197-3
A good slower ball from Shoaib, but Dhoni watches the ball onto the bat and manages a single. Yuvraj swings and misses to another well-disguised slower ball. But he then fences at one down the leg side which is signalled as a wide by Ian Gould. Yuvraj taps a single to long-off, and then Shoaib strays again with a no-ball, which Gouldie signals as a free hit. Dhoni chips the free hit into the air and is "caught" at long-off, but is able to take a single, while one of the Indian substitutes runs on with some fresh gloves.

"Following cricket is much like following women, you have to keep your eyes open, focus and see how the game is played... and when you can't find women, rest assured cricket and beer should be there with you forever especially when it is midnight and India are playing Pakistan. After looking at Shoaib, seems like perhaps Flintoff and Shoaib have been spending time together after 'hard work'... Thanks Mark for your awesome work... keep it rolling jolly fella!"
Sukhism in the TMS inbox

37th over - Ind 192-3
Elsewhere in the world of cricket, I can tell you that Australia don't seem to be missing Warne and McGrath much, they're running through Sri Lanka without too much trouble. Afridi's back for a second spell, but his captain will not be best pleased as he fizzes one down the leg side which runs away for five wides. Dhoni unleashes a couple of fierce square cuts, reminiscent of Robin Smith in his prime, and they both go for four. A single sees him pinch the strike - but hey, he's the captain after all.

36th over - Ind 177-3
Shoaib returns in an attempt to stem the tide of runs. But Dhoni, having summoned his helmet, powerfully hits the paceman back through extra cover for four. A straight-drive back past the stumps brings a single for the Indian skipper, and an attempted bouncer is glanced off his hip by Yuvraj for a single.

"I think I could lipread what Gambhir said to Afridi during that nasty exchange [in the 20th over]. I will not spell it out for obvious reasons. He said something in Hindi, since I am an Indian I could understand a little bit of it. The key word was in bad taste"
Virupaksha Joshi, India, in the TMS inbox

35th over - Ind 171-3
With 34 overs gone, we have the now compulsory change of ball. Malik takes the "new" (old) ball, but Dhoni takes the lead from Yuvraj and hoists his rival captain for a straight six over the sightscreens, before prodding for a single to mid-on. Yuvraj keeps the score ticking with a dab to square leg, and suddenly the Indian crowd have found their voice again. Malik strays with a legside wide, and Dhoni punishes the next ball with a monster hit over long-on for another six which lands on the canvas roof of one of the stands. The ball is not easily retrieved from the aforementioned roof, so it's changed again - after five balls of usage!

34th over - Ind 155-3
Dhoni carefully works Rehman through mid-off for a single, before Yuvraj finally shows his true colours and slog-sweeps Rehman into the trees over midwicket for a huge six. He then goes deep again, this time over long-on for another maximum. That's more like it for India - their best over for a while.

33rd over - Ind 142-3
Malik keeps it equally tight - when Yuvraj tries to hit out, the ball hits non-striker Dhoni as he tries to take evasive action and the chance of a single is gone. Dhoni sends Yuvraj back on the final delivery, and that's another maiden.

32nd over - Ind 142-3
Rehman wheels away for his third over - just a single apiece for the two batsmen.

"Cheers - yeah I'm on the mend now, sporting injury, these things happen - Wish I could have my 'limbs manipulated' right now! Come on Shoaib!"
Lee, Wales, in the TMS inbox

31st over - Ind 140-3
Malik strays with a wide after the batsmen exchange singles, as Pakistan continue to race through their overs. Dhoni takes a single off the last ball, and they take a drinks break.

30th over - Ind 136-3
Rehman has a slip in for Dhoni, bowling round the wicket to the right-hander, and hits him on the pad with one which was turning too much. He then has a slightly louder shout against Yuvraj (and the TV replay suggests Yuvraj is lucky to be given the benefit of the doubt) but it's still a tidy over.

"I'm watching the live video of the game while reading the text commentary on TMS and I don't mind the time lag at all"
Kiran Vyakaranam in the TMS inbox

29th over - Ind 135-3
The two captains lock horns as Malik bowls to the new batsman, who's India's captain Mahendra Dhoni. He's also content to don a cap with the spinners on, and he's off the mark when he tickles one through the vacant slip cordon for four. After he rotates the strike with a single, Yuvraj sweeps again, and it goes low to Salman Butt at midwicket - but he spills the catch.

28th over - WICKET - Gambhir b Rehman 25 - Ind 129-3
As if he'd read my thoughts from the 26th over, Malik gives Afridi a rest and introduces Abdur Rehman. With the two lefties in, he's bowling slow left-arm over the wicket, in the style of Ashley Giles. After the regulation single from each batsman, Gambhir prods at the last delivery of the over and the ball spins into the turf, rises up and just dislodges a bail as it loops over the stumps - ending a third-wicket stand of 47.

"By my count there are 12 of us scattered across the globe, riveted by your vivid prose. Except I'm off to bed, so that leaves 11... the perfect number, really"
Jon, Colorado, in the TMS inbox

27th over - Ind 127-2
Yuvraj sweeps Malik but only picks up a single to long leg. The singles continue to flow, and Pakistan are clearly keen to avoid a second consecutive over-rate fine.

"Since I flirt a lot with my lady co-workers, I am behind in my work. So I am coding like crazy in Denver. Thanks for keeping me company"
Om, sleepless in Denver, in the TMS inbox
[Oh, behave - MM]

26th over - Ind 123-2
Afridi is hurrying through his overs, and both Gambhir and Yuvraj seem content to keep pushing the singles. However, the question is raised - if Rehman was brought in as a specialist spinner, how long will it be before we see him in the attack, given that the two spinning all-rounders have been brought on before him?

25th over - Ind 119-2
So much for the idea that Tanvir was going to bowl straight through - he's off and captain Shoaib Malik's on with some off-spin, bowling around the wicket to the two southpaws. The batsmen rotate the strike with a couple of singles, but it's a tidy first over from the skipper.

"Brad in western New York state with the same chill in the air, enjoying the virtual coverage. Thanks fellas. Go Pakistan!"
Brad in the TMS inbox

24th over - Ind 115-2
Gambhir has traded in his helmet for a light blue cap, and he opens the face of the bat to tickle Afridi down to third man for a brace of runs. He drives for a single, and Yuvraj prods one off his legs for a well-judged run. Gambhir and Yuvraj then perform almost identical run-it-down-to-third-man-for-a-single strokes to round off the over. Six from the over.

23rd over - Ind 109-2
Tanvir could be bowling straight through here, this is his eighth over and Yuvraj is still having problems getting him away. Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson looks to have the beginnings of a goatee beard in the making, and he may raise a wry smile as Tanvir sends down his first maiden of the innings.

"Hi Mark, just thought I'd drop you an e-mail to say that I'll be with you right through this one too - I'm just out of hospital after an operation, and I'm so glad to get back to the cricket! How do you see the pitch reacting later on in the match?"
Lee, Sleepy Wales, in the TMS inbox
[Can't really judge the pitch from here, although it's already looking quite weathered in the areas of the bowlers' footmarks, and breaking up in other areas. Glad to hear you're on the mend - MM]

22nd over - Ind 109-2
Gambhir works Afridi to leg for two, and then turns one down to fine leg for a single. He's looking to use his feet against the bearded spinner. Yuvraj then square-drives Afridi for four, before clubbing a single to keep the strike.

21st over - Ind 101-2
Shoaib is now getting a full body massage from the team physio just outside the boundary rope. He's having his limbs manipulated into all sorts of positions, while Tanvir rushes through an over which yields just one single to Gambhir. Tanvir has 2-18 from seven overs.

20th over - Ind 100-2
A fan dressed in a full Spiderman costume looks on as Shoaib's taken off to spent more time with his pedicurist, and Shahid Afridi's fast leg-breaks enter the fray. A midfield by Gul brings Yuvraj two runs off the first ball of the over, followed by a single, and Gambhir swipes a four before taking a single of his own - and collides with Afridi in mid-pitch. Umpire Gould steps in straight away to try to defuse a potential flashpoint as Afridi and Gambhir exchange a few words. That single does bring up India's hundred, though.

19th over - Ind 92-2
An impromptu pedicure for Shoaib, who already has a hole cut into his boot for his big toe. Gambhir looks a little frustrated at the slow scoring rate, and thinks he can take a quick single to Mohammad Yousuf, who's not the quickest in the field but nevertheless hits the stumps with his throw. Yuvraj punches one into the off-side for a single, but it's still just two runs off Tanvir's over. That's four runs from the last four overs.

18th over - Ind 90-2
Yuvraj's bat has a special "Yuvi 20/20" sticker on the face of it, commemorating his six sixes against Stuart Broad in the World Twenty20, but he's taking his time to get going, and while Shoaib switches to bowling around the wicket for the final two deliveries, he nevertheless completes a maiden over.

17th over - Ind 90-2
Tanvir is still keeping it tight against the two new batsmen, although he does stray with a wide - the fifth of the innings - which spoils an otherwise faultless over.

"I'm also up with you Mark, here in Manhattan where it is absolutely freezing tonight. Just like Quasim, I could be watching it with the Pakistani boys two apartments down from mine but the thought of leaving your exquisite commentary (and more importantly my warm bed and coffee maker which I have hooked up in my bedroom) is quite unbearable"
Max Forrester, New York in the TMS inbox

16th over - Ind 89-2
The Indian fans are undaunted by losing their openers, and are waving their flags with great enthusiasm. Umpire Gould signals the third powerplay (where three fielders are permitted outside the ring), and Shoaib's back for another blast. Gambhir dabs a single into the covers, while Yuvraj is on the defensive as Shoaib gets a bit of bounce.

"It is almost midnight in New York. Who else is covering the match from BBC? Could you tell me how many times has Tendulkar got himself out on 99 in the ODIs?"
Bala in the TMS inbox
[I'm here with colleagues Jonathan Stevenson and Anna Thompson. Can't give you an answer on the 99s off the cuff, but he has got three this year - MM]

15th over - Ind 88-2
The new batsman is another leftie, the big-hitting Yuvraj Singh, and he's immediately off the mark with a four through midwicket, before guiding another one to third man for two.

"I like the way you included my comment with the 1st wicket. Maybe if I send you 10 comments within the next half hour, Pakistan well have a slight chance of winning this game?"
Qasim Mughal in the TMS inbox

14.1 overs - WICKET - Ganguly b Tanvir 39 - Ind 82-2
Pakistan are right back in this game as Tanvir knocks Ganguly's off-stump over.

14th over - Ind 82-1
After a drinks break, Gul continues for his seventh over, having bowled straight through - in contrast to the World Twenty20, when he was usually held back to bowl his four overs towards the end of the innings. But he's a lot tidier than his opening overs as Ganguly works a single off the first ball, while Gambhir is a little tied down but takes one off the fifth ball, while Ganguly drives to mid-off for a single off the final delivery.

"Looks like we've got another run fest on our hands! I've got my cup of tea here with the morning paper and my laptop on full blast keeping me updated with this cruicial match. What more could you ask for?"
Jahan Khan, South London, in the TMS inbox

13th over - Ind 79-1
Lightning doesn't strike twice for Tanvir as Gambhir and Ganguly take some comfortable singles.

"Morning Mark! Just got in from a long night out here in Padova, and currently debating whether to go to bed or stay up and follow the cricket. Are you really at the BBC TV Centre? And there was I thinking of you perched on the boundary edge in Kanpur, in full beach wear, feasting on chapattis and pakoras... Maybe being a live text commentator isn't such a "cushy" job after all!"
John from Padova, Italy, in the TMS inbox

12th over - Ind 75-1
Gul sends down an aerial wide to Ganguly, who then tries to hit him across the line and although he doesn't hit it too cleanly, it still sails away for four. Gul changes to go around the wicket, and Ganguly leg-glances one for a single to take his score to 35. There's then a delay as Gambhir wants the sightscreen moved - while there are a whole host of people wandering around in front of the sightscreens. Are they not aware of why the screens are there? Captain Malik tries to wave the interlopers away - he's probably very aware of how both sides were fined for slow over-rates in the last game, for which the captains are normally held responsible. When they eventually resume, Gambhir is off the mark with a single.

"We see precious little cricket here so you are my life blood. Keep up the excellent work"
Leigh Harris in Vancouver in the TMS inbox

"So, the ball seems to be swinging around, what are the morning conditions in dusty Kanpur? Probably your first ever email from Wichita Falls, Texas... Deep in the heart..."
Sunny K in the TMS inbox
[It is swinging around, but it looks to be bright sunshine and the outfield's pretty rapid - MM]

11th over - Ind 68-1
New batsman is Gautam Gambhir, so it's two lefties at the crease and another one (Tanvir) bowling. He sees off the rest of the over safely.

"I'm up with you Mark. Not sure why though. Sounds like a fab game that I should be watching downstairs. Never mind, I won't desert you now... or my bed for that fact. Keep up the good work"
Qasim Mughal in the TMS inbox

10.4 overs - WICKET - Tendulkar c Akmal b Tanvir 29 - Ind 68-1
Umpire Saheba signals the start of the second powerplay, and Ganguly digs out Tanvir's first ball well. Tanvir then has a promising-looking lbw shout but is turned down by Saheba as Ganguly takes a run. Tendulkar then edges one and Akmal takes a very impressive catch diving to his right - if only he'd pouched that much easier chance off Ganguly off the first ball of the innings...

10th over - Ind 67-0
Despite conceding 37 runs off his first four overs, Gul is surprisingly kept in the attack, and Tendulkar soon works him for two through midwicket before nudging another single to leg. Ganguly dabs a single as well, and India look to be firmly in control.

9th over - Ind 63-0
Pakistan make their first bowling change, with Sohail Tanvir replacing Shoaib Akhtar. He presents a different angle of attack, bowling left-arm over. Tendulkar takes two to Mohammad Yousuf in the deep, but is then alert enough to realise they've got time to scamper a third run.

"I'm trying desperately to finish an essay tonight, then sleep for most of tomorrow. It's good that there's cricket on at night, as I can have a break and flick through the updates. Is there any relevance to the winner/loser of the India-Pakistan series with respect to England's ICC one-day ranking?"
A very tired Tim, Warwick, in the TMS inbox
[Very possibly, Tim - considering that Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India and England are only separated by one point in the ODI rankings - MM]

8th over - Ind 60-0
Tendulkar cover-drives off the back foot, and the rapid Kanpur outfield sees the ball race to the boundary in barely any time at all. That's 50 up for the home side, and Tendulkar cuts the next ball backward of point for four. With his timing as immaculate as ever, he glances one off his hip to long leg for a single. Ganguly is then nearly caught off guard by a bouncer, from which he ducks out of the way at the last minute. But he then recovers in time to hit his third four of the innings. I think Gul might take a rest after that.

"Hi Mark, You have company down in Sydney as well, although it's more of a sociable hour here - early morning wake ups to follow the cricket have provided many good childhood memories"
Karl - on holiday in Aus - in the TMS inbox

7th over - Ind 47-0
Ganguly pulls Shoaib to long leg, where Sohail Tanvir's quick return restricts them to a single. Haven't seen too many of those yet today, with all those fours... Tendulkar guides Shoaib's slower ball away for a single, and you sense it may not be Shoaib's day at the moment.

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"I think that Tendulkar and Ganguly are set to make a big score. India will come back strong today. I am contemplating that it's their day"
Vinny in the TMS inbox

6th over - Ind 45-0
Ganguly cuts loose for the first time in the innings, advancing down the track and hoisting Gul over long-off for six. He guides the next one through extra cover and they run three as Malik stops the ball just inside the boundary.

5th over - Ind 36-0
Tendulkar dabs a single to backward square leg. Shoaib sends down another legside wide, and then one keeps low and the batsmen scamper a couple of byes. Skipper Malik sets a good example with a smart piece of fielding, and Ganguly nudges a single to end the over. And big congratulations to Adam (below) for sending us the first e-mail of the game. You are, sir, as they say, "hardcore".

"Don't worry Mark, I'm up with you... mainly due to the dodgy body clock caused by University.....on the plus side I get more cricket!"
Adam Sutherland (Nottingham, studying in Newcastle), in the TMS inbox

4th over - Ind 31-0
Nothing seems to be falling to hands in the field at the moment - Ganguly pushes into the off-side and it just evades the fielder at point as they scamper two. Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik moves his second slip to gully - and the very next ball, Ganguly nicks one through the exact spot where second slip had just been withdrawn from, and another four results. Malik reinstates the second slip in a closing-the-stable-door-after-the-horse-has-bolted scenario.

3rd over - Ind 25-0
Ganguly fluently cover-drives Shoaib for four, then rotates the strike with a single. Shoaib is getting plenty of bounce, and digs one in to Tendulkar which he gloves just over the slips for his third boundary of the innings.

2nd over - Ind 16-0
Umar Gul takes the second over, and he bowled pretty well in Mohali. His first ball brings a half-hearted appeal for a catch behind, but the eagle-eyed Ian Gould says "not out" and TV replays show it clipped Ganguly's thigh. The second hall is almost unplayable - as Ganguly plays and misses, it swings prodigiously and evades the diving Akmal, shooting through for four byes. Ganguly nudges a single, while Tendulkar's off the mark too as he takes one hand off the bat but gloves a rising delivery down the leg side for four. The "Little Master" then drives Gul through the covers for another boundary to end the over, to the delight of the packed crowd.

Don't forget, we want you to get involved on the e-mails. It's the middle of the night here in the UK, we need your help!

1st over - Ind 3-0
Shoaib Akhtar takes the new ball, charges in and the first ball is edged by Sourav Ganguly... and dropped by keeper Kamran Akmal just in front of first slip! What a start! Yet again, Akmal's wicket-keeping must be called into question. Shoaib then fires in a couple of wides - not the start Pakistan would have wanted. Ganguly gets off the mark with a single wide of the slips to third man, and his partner Tendulkar exhibits a textbook defensive stroke to his first ball, and safely sees off the rest of the over.

0327: If you didn't hear, both teams were fined for slow over-rates in the last game. Hardly surprising given that between them, they conceded 47 (that's not a misprint - forty-seven) wides and four no-balls.

0325: Here are the full teams:

India: Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Gautam Gambhir, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Dhoni (capt & wk), Robin Uthappa, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Murali Kartik, Zaheer Khan, RP Singh.

Pakistan: Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal (wk), Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik (capt), Misbah-ul-Haq, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Abdur Rehman, Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul.

Umps are England's Ian Gould and India's Amiesh Saheba. Third ump on TV replays is Suresh Shastri, match referee is Roshan Mahanama. I'm in the live text chair, while Jonathan Stevenson will be crafting the match report, and Anna Thompson is today's "gaffer", keeping us both in order. With two young children, she's probably more used to being up at this time than we are.

0316: Although India captain Mahendra Dhoni did say after the last ODI that he had no regrets over not including a front-line fifth bowler, Kartik's presence should balance the attack - while Rehman adds an extra spinning option for Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik, alongside himself and Shahid Afridi.

TEAM NEWS: Both sides make one change - India bring in left-arm spinner Murali Kartik for batsman Virender Sehwag, while Pakistan recall a slow left-armer of their own, Abdur Rehman, in place of medium-pacer Rao Iftikhar Anjum.

TOSS NEWS: Pakistan have won the toss and will field first.

0305: A very good morning - it's the wee small hours here at BBC TV Centre, but India and Pakistan are getting ready for the third of their one-day internationals. Kanpur is the setting for this game - news of the toss and the teams as we get it.

Of course, more than ever today, I'll need you all to get involved on the e-mails and texts (606 opens for business at 0900 GMT) to keep it entertaining. The series is intriguingly poised at 1-1 - how do you think the sides will fare?