 Sachin Tendulkar (106 runs) hit his 47th test century and fourth on trot along with Virendra Sehwag (165 runs) 19th test century to put India in firm control of the second test match at Eden Garden, Kolkata at close of second days play.
At stumps, V.V.S Laxman batting on 9 runs along with night-watchman Amit Mishra (1 runs) with Captain M.S.Dhoni still to come. India now have 46 runs lead in the first inning and they will look forward to extend the lead up to 150 runs to put South Africa under tremendous pressure. India started the day well with picking up last South African wickets inside the first five overs of play. South Africa made 296 runs in their first inning. In reply Indian deadly duo Sehwag and Gambhir gave India quick start by putting on 73 runs for the first wicket in just 9.2 overs before a misunderstanding between to lead to needless run out of Gambhir (25 runs) who was looking good while at the crease. The first wicket fall led to another which is same old story at Eden garden and that what happened today when M.Bijay got out three overs later after scoring just 5 runs. India reduced to 82/2 when Sachin Tendulkar joined good looking Virendra Sehwag. Both played few overs quietly before raising their game and went on to put quick 249 runs for the third wicket. In the process Sachin scored his 47th and 92nd international century while Sehwag scored 165 runs. Virendra Sehwag innings was not as clean as Tendulkar, since he got two lives first when he was dropped by JP Duminy at first slip on 47 and later AB Devilliers missed a simple stumping chance when he was on 126 runs. However JP Duminy came back strongly to remove Sehwag which allowed South Africans to get another two wickets of Sachin (106 runs) and S.Badrinath (1 runs) before close of second days play. It could have been far better day if Indians kept their last fallen three wickets in hand and could have been worst for the South Africans but it seems that there is something in the wicket at Eden Garden which start to favor bowlers as game reaches towards the end of play. Let’s hope it will continue doing this way in the remaining days also. Match Summary (Day2 Stump) South Africa 1st Inning– 296/10 in 85 Overs H.Amla- 114 A.Petersen– 100 Zaheer Khan- 22-5-90-4 Harbhajan Singh– 24-2-64-3 India 1st Inning– 342/5 in 76 Overs V.Sehwag- 165 S.Tendulkar– 106 Dale Styen- 17-4-66-1 J.P.Duminy– 1-0-4-1
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