There was no respite from agony for the visitors who were left groggy and disoriented after two days of barrage as four Indian batsmen made centuries in the one innings by the end of the third day of the second Test in Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
vvs laxman ms dhoni
If South Africa though the late wicket burst was a relief, they will thank they had at least that to sleep overnight. There was more intensity and purpose from the Indians and the South Africans continued to pay the price for taking their eyes of the ball yesterday.
If Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar brought them to their knees, the South Africans could nothing about stopping V.V.S. Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, the Indian captain, from fetching a couple of centuries for themselves. The comeback spells were far from inspirational and too infrequent to really dent the Indians from forging ahead on their mission to take back the no.1 Test team tag in the ICC Test rankings.
The day saw the South Africans dig their soles for another grinding day as Laxman consumed the strike to stylishly carve out another century, his fifteenth Test century and fourth in Kolkata, even as Dhoni kept pace for his fourth Test ton to make a great day for Indian cricket.
As expected India declared a half hour from the scheduled close of play, heavy with runs at 643 for 6 as Laxman remained unbeaten on 143 and Dhoni on 132. Credit must also go to Amit Mishra for standing his ground as the nightwatchman from overnight to ensure South Africa did not have it easy in the morning.
light meter
The light faded suddenly and South Africa faced only five deliveries before the umpires declared that the light meter showed that was it for the day. But South Africa's task is far from over, albeit rather implausible at the moment when they have to bat the remainder of the two days if they are to save this Test.
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