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Day 2: India in strong position
After dispatching S Africa for a paltry 84 runs, India take a 311-run lead, reports Kadambari Murali. Scoreboard
Saturday was a momentous day for Indian cricket, one that was a long time coming. First, Sourav Ganguly stood doggedly out there in the first innings, India's last man standing as he told his legions of critics where to get off with his 51 not out in the 249 India got. And then, a rejuvenated India, possibly inspired by that comeback performance from their former captain, came up with a spitting, fighting show that saw them destroy South Africa for 84, their lowest ever total since they returned to world cricket after being isolated for 23 years for their policy of apartheid.
At stumps, though Ganguly had gone for 25 in his second essay, done in by an attempt to pull an Ntini delivery that kept lower than he expected and, before him, Sehwag, Jaffer, Dravid and Tendulkar (who became Shaun Pollock's 400 th and 401st victims), VVS Laxman (batting on a typically elegant 42) and MS Dhoni (17*) were still standing.
India would be quite happy with the 146-5 they have got so far in their second essay, because, combined with their first innings lead of 165, it gives them an already potentially match-winning lead of 311 so far.
The Proteas collapse by the way, was their most comprehensive since 1957 and perhaps it was fitting that it was triggered by a fiery young man who has himself been inexplicably in and out of favour in his short career, a reflection of some strange selection policies -- S Sreesanth.
Ever since the first ball was bowled in this Test, it was apparent that runs would be at a premium and this holds true after six sessions. Both teams have already been bowled out once and at this point, given that 20 wickets have fallen for 323 runs on the day, it is unlikely that this game will go into the fifth day. Of the 25 wickets gone down in the game so far, 23 have gone to the pacers.
This pitch really had everything a fast bowler could have asked for and India, who started the day at 156 for 5, were reduced to six in no time. They were looking at Ganguly, the man whom they had discarded as not worthy of a place in the side, to spearhead the salvage operation and he duly did that, aided incredibly by India's No 11, VRV Singh.
VRV played with a carefree audacity and that's probably what sheer youth brings to the table. Initially, he tried to give Ganguly the strike but realised soon enough that rotating the strike was not his strength and threw caution to the wind, with splendidly startling results. He moved all over the place in the crease and used the long handle to good effect, dominating the last wicket partnership of 44 (the third best stand of the innings) with a 19-ball 29 as India finished with far more than they thought.
And then, when they bowled, it was glorious. Sreesanth removed Graeme Smith for 5 and Amla for a duck while Zaheer continued his good form from the other end by having Gibbs edge to Sehwag at point. South Africa were 5 for 3 at one stage and staring down the barrel. They were looking to Kallis to play sheet anchor but he too fell to Sreesanth and there was really no looking back from there for India.
They went from strength to strength with the Kerala pacer spewing fire (literally too as he gave the South African batsmen some of their own lip, Andre Nel style) and getting his first five-wicket haul in Tests along the way. Ashwell Prince and Nel hung around a while but Prince nicked Dhoni to Kumble and that was really that.
One more point, the Indian bowlers might not be as quick as their opponents but that probably helped. After seeing the South Africans trying to bounce the batsmen out and failing, the Indian bowlers stuck to their strengths. They bowled in the right areas consistently and allowed the pitch to do the rest.
It was an incredible performance for more reasons than one. The way things have gone so far on this tour, no one gave the Indians a chance of fighting (perhaps that includes themselves) let alone winning a Test. But unless something goes terribly wrong from here, they should take home the advantage and with it, this match.
