India vs RSA: India Sneak Ahead

Some resiliant lower order batting by Dinesh Karthik and Irfan Pathan ensured India would have a slight advantage going into the fourth day in this Eden Gardens test match. Earlier, Rahul Dravid had compiled a stellar 80 to give India the edge.

However the first wicket to fall during the day was that of explosive Virender Sehwag. The dynamic opening batsman from Delhi had earlier dispatched Shaun Pollock over his head for a huge 6. A few balls later, South Africa and Makhaya Ntini had the last laugh as the dynamo was out for 88.

A scratchy Sachin Tendulkar walked out to a thunderous ovation by the Eden Garden's crowd. After looking terribly out of form in the middle, Tendulkar's visit at the crease was finally ended when he edged a ball onto his leg stump off the bowling of Zander De Bruyn. Tendulkar was gone for 20 and South Africa were coming back into this match.

Rahul Dravid was his typical self, not letting any of the South African bowlers get past his rock solid defence. The ICC International Cricketer of the Year reached another test match half century and guided India past the 200 run mark.

At the other end, Sourav Ganguly looked in solid form as the left hander took to the medium pacers like a fish to water. However another hiccup ensued as Dravid was out in similar fashion to Tendulkar, bowled edging onto his stumps. Dravid walked off a dejected man, but his 80 runs were extremely valuable in the context of this match.

Ganguly fell soon after for 40, he was deemed leg before in front of the stumps by umpire, Simon Taufel. Replay's suggested the ball had pitched outside leg stump and Ganguly seemed to be rather unlucky with the decision.

However one cannot criticise the excellent Australian Umpire as Ganguly fell across his stumps after impact which gave the visual illusion that the ball had pitched on line. South Africa with some tight bowling and disciplined fielding were fighting back in this match and a huge Indian total was no under serious jeopardy.

VVS Laxman and Dinesh Karthik settled the Indian ship as the two batted cautiously to ensure that India passed the 300 run mark. Soon after though, India suffered a big blow as VVS Laxman was out for 38 off the bowling of Ntini and even now the chances of a big lead over the Proteas were looking slim.

To India's credit Dinesh Karthik and Irfan Pathan proved to be reliable lower order batsmen and combined to give India a valuable lead of 54 runs at stumps on day four.
Karthik batted with great responsibilty and finished up with 35* and Irfan Pathan proved to be a handy lower order batsman as well finishing up with 21*.


Brief Score Summary: Day 3 Stumps

South Africa (1st Innings): 305 All Out (Kallis 121, Rudolph 61, Pathan 3/72, Zaheer 3/64)

India (1st Innings): 6/359 (Sehwag 88, Dravid 80, Karthik 35*, Pathan 21*, De Bruyn 2/32, Ntini 2/85)

Posted by Sangrah