India vs South Africa: Second Test, Day 3

The love affair between VVS Laxman and Eden Gardens continued and blossomed as skipper MS Dhoni also joined in to take India to a fairytale comeback in the series against South Africa. Laxman notched up his fourth century at the Gardens pairing with Dhoni who also cracked a ton to hand the Proteas a double whammy and a deficit of 347 runs. In the process they also recorded the highest seventh wicket partnership of 259 runs in Test cricket. How Graeme Smith and company cope with the pressure will be a matter of huge interest and importance as India is pressing the accelerator to not only win this Test and level the series, but also retain the numero uno status in the Test ranking.

Brief Scores:

South Africa (1st Innings): 296
India (1st Innings): 643/6 d (Sehwag 165, Sachin 106, Laxman 143*, Dhoni 132)
South Africa (2nd Innings): 6/0

India vs South Africa: Second Test, Day 3

The love affair between VVS Laxman and Eden Gardens continued and blossomed as skipper MS Dhoni also joined in to take India to a fairytale comeback in the series against South Africa. Laxman notched up his fourth century at the Gardens pairing with Dhoni who also cracked a ton to hand the Proteas a double whammy and a deficit of 347 runs. In the process they also recorded the highest seventh wicket partnership of 259 runs in Test cricket. How Graeme Smith and company cope with the pressure will be a matter of huge interest and importance as India is pressing the accelerator to not only win this Test and level the series, but also retain the numero uno status in the Test ranking.

Coming back from an injury, Laxman batted with his usual flamboyance and élan on his favourite playground. It was at the Gardens only where Laxman got his highest score in Test cricket. It was also of prime importance for India that Laxman and Dhoni stayed there and carry India forward as otherwise it would exposed the tail to the Proteas. Dhoni’s patient knock and lending the support to Laxman after South Africa picked up nightwatchman Amit Mishra in the morning session will now become one of the turning points of the turnaround that the Indian team is displaying in the Test, which started in the post tea session on Day 1.

Smith pressed hard with the new ball to pin India back to the wall after Mishra’s wicket. On numerous occasions Parnel, Steyn found the ball whizzing past Dhoni’s willow, but the stoic skipper had already put a price to his wicket, which eventually proved quiet expensive for South Africa. He then gathered his momentum and flourished. Laxman, on the other side, was at his artistic best, finding the gaps at regular intervals with his drives and pulls. The result was for everybody to see: Mishra’s was the only wicket that Smith could fetch on the day which also meant a burgeoning deficit on the first innings. It was also saddening to see the Proteas flounder in the field. Duminy dropping Laxman again on 48 today being the highpoint, the fielding standards has been very unlikely South African today.

One team’s falling standards leads the other to grab the opportunity. India will now be pressing for the win and playing some aggressive cricket over the next two days. The cushion of 347 will be a huge burden on Smith and company. How he leads from the front will determine the course of this match.

Brief Scores:

South Africa (1st Innings): 296
India (1st Innings): 643/6 d (Sehwag 165, Sachin 106, Laxman 143*, Dhoni 132)
South Africa (2nd Innings): 6/0