India win despite defiant Amla

India retained their ICC World No.1 ranking after they beat South Africa by an innings and 58 runs in the second & final Test at Eden Gardens Kolkata, in a nail-biting thriller that ended with just nine more mandatory balls to left. Harbhajan Singh got the final wicket to complete his five-for even as Hashim Amla remained defiant at the other end with yet another rock solid unbeaten hundred. The win meant the series was drawn at 1-1.

India started day 5 after having lost two-thirds of play on the fourth day. Crucial time had been lost and India were dealt another blow as Zaheer Khan took no further part in the match, going out injured. That meant India had to get the job done with just three bowlers, including an out-of-form Ishant Sharma, that too on a pitch that didn't come even remotely close to a typical final day pitch in India. Amla and Ashwell Prince played out the first two hours of the extended first session without too much trouble. But, Harbhajan got the breakthrough working out Prince. A flighted delivery had Prince reaching for it, balloning the edge to mid-off. AB de Villiers too went just before lunch, as India completed a good first session. He didn't pick the googly from leggie Mishra, trapped in front. This was the third crucial wicket by Mishra after Kallis and Smith.

India started off the second session in style, with Harbhajan dismissing hapless Duminy and Steyn lbw. It looked as if India would wrap things up before tea. But even as Indians bowled relentlessly, Amla was rock solid. He hardly looked in trouble and never looked like getting out. He just needed somebody to stick around with him at the other end. He got an able partner in Wayne Parnell, who batted intelligently, showing great control for a tail-ender.

The pair got a 70-run partnership and crucially batted out 24 overs. But, Ishant Sharma finally struck as Parnell's concentration finally dipped, chipping one to short mid-on. Paul Harris was dropped by Badrinath off Harbhajan, but Sharma snapped him up too, this time caught at slips. The end looked near as the great crowd in Eden Gardens roared. But, there was more to come. Morne Morkel is nicknamed "Haydos", and he showed great skills as he stuck it out. He rarely played a false stroke and played balls quite well. Indian frustrations turned into desperation as the last wicket eluded them. Finally with just nine more balls to go, Morkel couldn't get behind a slider from Harbhajan, as he was given out lbw.

Harbhajan roared and went for his customary run to the dressing room, even as the crowd blew the roof of the stadium. Heartbreak for Amla and Proteas. Jubilations for India, they now retain their top spot.

India have shown that they not only have the quality to be No.1, but also the character, the grit , the hunger and determination.

Rain halts India's progress

Rain and bad light frustrated the Indians to no end on day 4 of the second Test against South Africa, as only 34 overs could be bowled in the day. The Indians managed to pick up three wickets, including the key players, Graeme Smith and Jacques Kallis. Leggie Amit Mishra accounted for both, and Harbhajan Singh got Alviro Peterson caught at short leg.

Mishra struck with his very first ball, after the Proteas' openers successfully negotiated some top bowling from Zaheer Khan and some not so good stuff from Ishant Sharma. Mishra got the ball to turn from outside Smith's off-stump to trap his man on middle. He then got Kallis in his seventh over, with a top leg-break that turned sharply, kissing the edge on way to Dhoni. Hashim Amla is South Africa's main hope now to battle out the final day. The visitors would be delighted with the fact that a "full day" has been negotiated with just three wickets lost.

The pitch is still good for batting and the Indian bowlers will have to some top balls to get their wicket. Thankfully, a rainless day is forecast for day 5. Indians would be desperate to force the issue, and if their bowling is as good as it was today, they might still be able to draw the series level. Seven wickets to retain the top spot.

India on top after Laxman,Dhoni pile on

As the saying goes about batting in India, "Bat once and Bat big". That's exactly what the Indians have done in the second Test against South Africa. They declared their first innings after piling on 643 for the loss of six wickets. VVS Laxman and MS Dhoni became the second pair of the innings and third of the match to score centuries as well get involved in double century partnership. The unbeaten stand was worth 259 and it snuffed out any chances of South Africa winning this Test. Trailing by 341 runs still, SA will have to bat out of their skins to save the Test, as Indians will go all out to retain their top spot.

The day began with night watchman Amit Mishra frustrating the Proteas with some delightful and outrageous strokes, and some edges too. He played out the crucial first hour. Dhoni and Laxman then had the tough task of getting past the second new ball. With Dale Steyn getting good outswingers going, the batters had a tough task. But, once they got through, there was no looking back. They had no trouble after that as they piled on the agony of the hapless South Africans. They took singles at will as Smith set defensive fields to contain the boundaries. It didn't dry out the boundaries either as Indians scored at almost 4 an over throughout the day.

The pitch was still true on the third day and Laxman and Dhoni scored their fifteenth and fourth century respectively. India not wanting to bat again, and desperate to win the match, piled on well past tea, as the pair stretched the lead to 347 runs. With the pitch not deteriorating as much as the Indians would have liked, they had to take the gamble of declaration, to give their bowlers enough time to take ten wickets. SA have their backs to the wall, and it would be playing for the draw as they have very slim chances of winning and also because a draw is all they want to win the series and take the top spot in rankings. There was enough turn for Paul Harris which would keep the Indian spinners interested. As always, Indians would bank on Zaheer Khan to take out some early wickets to put pressure on the Proteas.

The pitch might be good still, but with the burden of 341 runs and the chance to win a series in India, don't be surprised if the perennial chokers choke on day 4.

Late mini-collapse spoils the day for India

The first two days of the second Test between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens couldn't have been more similar. Double hundred partnerships, two centurians, and cluster of wickets late in the day. The only difference being that when India took 7 wickets post tea on day 1, SA have picked only 3. But, they have got the tide back in their favour and they will look to continue this tomorrow morning. All the good work by Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar had been partly undone, as India, cruising at 331/2, went to 336/5. VVS Laxman barely managed to survive as the last ball before stumps went agonisingly past the first slip. India are in the lead already, but they could well have done without the late drama.

The day started with India looking to take the last wicket, but were soon frustrated as the last two SA batsmen got some boundaries. Two wide fours too resulted in the Proteas stretching the score close to 300 from the overnight 266. Then it was the Sehwag show. There is something with Sehwag vs SA. He averages 60 against the country where he got his maiden hundred on debut. He has got four more centuries including today's in just 12 matches. Incredible!

There was no swing for the Nagpur hero Dale Steyn, and when he doesn't get that, he is easy meal for Sehwag. A hatrick of boundaries in the third over got India going, as the openers got yet another half-century stand. They raced to 73 in just 9.2 overs, before a costly error from Sehwag resulted in Gambhir's runout. The leftie was looking to make amends for his failures in Nagpur, and was looking in good touch too. But, alas! Murali Vijay didn't last long, as he succumbed to Morkel after being hit on the helmet.

Sehwag had a chance to get the fastest half-century in Tests, but he slowed down after the run-out. He still went at a strike rate of well above 100, as he punished all loose balls. Tendulkar on the other end played the second fiddle as he kept rotating the strike. Both players compliment each other pretty well, and they got about their job again in fine fashion, cruising at a run-rate above 5.

Sehwag slowed down after his 19th hundred, looking to keep his wicket intact. Sachin too slowed down after tea, and had to battle few anxious moments before getting to his 47th ton. This was his fourth consecutive hundred as he got some daylight between him and his nemesis Ricky Ponting in Tests centuries' column. Sehwag then got his 13th 150+ score as the two players played for the stumps.

But, then it happened. JP Duminy hadn't done anything in the match other than getting out for a duck and dropping Sehwag at 47. He got his chance to make amends as Smith introduced him finally close to stumps. Sehwag, who was remarkably calm, keeping out aggressive shots, obliged as he tried to smash Duminy through covers. Tendulkar looked more disappointed as he knew that Sehwag was going to do something needless. Not sure, whether the Sehwag's dismissal got into the head of the "little master", but he soon edged Harris to slips, playing away from the body. Noone knows why Harris was bowling over the wicket for so many overs in the day, bowling the most no. of wides in an innings ever. He got the wicket when he finally came around the stumps. He almost got Laxman too. At the other hand, Steyn finally got a wicket in the day, getting through the gate of Badrinath. Steyn was too good for him, as he struggled with the reverse in-swing. He fended off two balls, before making a mess of the third.

A lead of 200 runs was looking good for India at one stage, but now they have a tough job on their hands. They have let SA smell blood, letting them come back into the match, after they had lost all hopes. With the old ball reversing and turning, and with the new ball only four overs away, Laxman and Dhoni will have to dig deep to get a sizeable lead. Its events even going into day 3.

India fightback to dominate the day

Indians were staring at the prospect of yet another massive total by the Proteas, cruising along at 218/1. Injured Mark Boucher's replacement Alvrio Peterson looked in no trouble as he notched up a hundred on debut. Hashim Amla got his second century of the series and didn't look like getting out except a drop chance off Harbhajan. The huge crowd at the Eden Gardens didn't deserve the what they got from the Indians. So, the Indians fought back. Eight wickets tumbled for just 43 runs, 7 of them after tea, as Indians finally showed the intent that had been lacking for a No. 1 side. If it hadn't been for bad light stopping play, Indians might as well have come to bat after bowling out the South Africans.

The day started with Captain MS Dhoni losing the toss again, and Smith having no hesitation in electing to bat again. Zaheer Khan again got his man, castled this time too, as Smith couldn't believe how the ball sneaked through between his bat and pad. There was nothing much to shout about for the Indians after that as the Amla and Peterson took command. They were literally going at the pace of an ODI, with run-rate well over 5 at one stage. Amla, on the back of his unbeaten 253 in Nagpur, was more positive and aggressive this time. He stroke boundaries at will. So too was Peterson. One couldn't believe that he was on debut, given the ease with he was batting.

It was not until after the drinks break in the second session that the hosts got their act together. Dhoni had a pep talk with Ishant Sharma, and the lanky pacer came back firing on all cylinders. He bent his back as he took Amla by surprise with some quick short stuff. He troubled Amla for the next couple of overs and dried out the runs in the process. Peterson got out edging behind off Zaheer soon after getting the hundred. The real action though was yet to begin.

The Indians certainly had something energetic during the Tea break, as they came back roaring, especially the "Turbanator". It was Zaheer, who started things off, getting the wicket of Amla. The dip in scoring rate prompted an agressive pull shot from Amla, and he got it wrong for once, edging behind. Harbhajan was the wrecker-in-chief, as he picked up three wickets. He got the big-fish Jacques Kallis with a top-spinner. Kallis went for the slog-sweep, only to edge the ball high in the air, and Laxman made good ground from slips to short-fine leg to take a diving catch, making amends for the dolly he dropped of Amla. Prince and Duminy got out as if it were action replay. Both got their pad in front of the bat, expecting turn from Bhajji bowling around the wicket, only to see the ball thudding the pad after going with the angle. Although Steyn averted the hatrick, de Villiers fell for a needless run-out. Zaheer was in the action again, as he got a direct hit as he turned around after picking the ball swiftly. Harris didn't last long, edging Ishant, and Morkel and Parnell held on till bad light ended the day's play.

India were almost down and out, but they finally showed some spirit and intent to fight back. The first two sessions didn't have anything to show that the hosts were desperate for a win. But, the final session more than made up for it, as India are firmly on the driver's seat. All they need now is their batsmen to do their routine job. A big lead would go a long way in ensuring that the Proteas have their backs to the wall. Going into day 2, getting the final wicket shouldn't be a problem, but facing up Steyn & Co. will be.

Battered India look to save their crown

Anything less than a win in the second Test starting on Sunday will ensure that not only the South Africans win the series, but more importantly, they will displace India as the ICC World No.1. The only consolation for the hosts is that the venue is one of their favourite hunting grounds, with the famous win against Australia in 2001 after following on, pretty much part of the country's folklore. More importantly, its a venue where the "Turbanator" relishes bowling; Harbhajan has been terribly out of form of late and India badly need their most experienced bowler to deliver. The venue is VVS Laxman's favourite too, having hit three centuries including his career best 281, which was then the highest score for an Indian.

India were badly hurt not only by the loss of four key players to injury in the first Test, but also by their impenetrable bowling attack. Sreesanth, although he went off boil after his five-for against Lankans on comeback, would be a welcome inclusion with Ishant Sharma completely out of sorts. Dale Steyn's impressive bowling brought back memories for similarly impressive performance from Ishant during '08 series against Australia. But there was no signs of that bowler as Sharma went wicketless. Zaheer had no company as both spinners, Harbhajan and Mishra were not consistent enough, that too on a helpful track. It will be interseting to see if Ojha is drafted in place of Mishra. There is also the possibility of Raina coming in for Vijay; the left-hander could negate Paul Harris's over the wicket line. With no Yuvraj in the lineup, there are no left handers after opener Gambhir.

Speculation was rife in the media that the curator had been told by the BCCI to "fix up the pitch". The media were drawing comparisons to a similar situation in '08 against the same opposition, when an under-prepared pitch in Kanpur helped India draw level. But, all those theories have been slapped on their face as a normal pitch has been prepared. There is enough grass in the pitch that will ensure that the pitch won't break up atleast in the first three days.

The badly hurt Indians will be looking to bounce back and hold onto their crown, but will have to play out of their skins for that. There is no margin for error, there is no coming back. Anything less than a win won't do. A win for honour....

India agonizingly suffer innings defeat

Dale Steyn got his 4th 10 wicket haul in Tests to inflict an innings defeat on the World No. 1 side. India lost by an innings and 6 runs, after the lower order put up a fight to nearly wipe off the deficit. But it was not to be as Steyn came back for the clean up job and completed his 10. Earlier, Sachin Tendulkar scored his 46th century in a fighting knock, which raised India's hopes of avoiding the humiliation.

India started the day 259 runs behind and with only eight wickets left after the openers were dismissed early on day 3. M Vijay and Tendulkar continued their overnight stand, but everyone knew the task ahead was herculean. Soon, Vijay got out sweeping Paul Harris who continued with his over-the-wicket line. He constantly hit the rough outside the leg-stump and was benefited by the fact that there wasn't a single left-hander in the Indian middle order. He bowled as many as 13 maidens in the second innings as batsmen had very limited opportunity to score runs without taking risk.

SA captain Graeme Smith went easy on his paers as they were bowling for the second consecutive day. He gave short spells for the bowlers and Steyn one could say was underused. There was no need as Harris continued to hold up one hand. Tendulkar still went on smoothly without much trouble. He padded to Harris mostly, yet not missing to sweep when the ball was full. Indian skipper MS Dhoni held up the other end as the duo stitched a 70 run partnership. It was just a matter of time for SA, and they were patient and never panicked. Tendulkar was out next over after getting the hundred. He was desperately unlucky as the ball looped up off his pads and went after hitting his elbow guard onto the stumps. The master was as stunned as the crowd and even the bowler Harris himself. Tendulkar walked off ever so slowly, hanging his down, utterly disappointed. The sight was as painful as the defeat.

Dhoni didn't last long after that as he was caught bat pad at silly point, and India was staring at a massive innings defeat, trailing by 116 runs still. Then Harbhajan Singh and Zaheer Khan scored 30 odd runs with two half-century partnerships with Wriddhiman Saha. The debutant who had a forgettable first innings, getting cleaned up by Steyn shouldering arms, made some amends as he nearly saved the day for India. He was in full control throughout the innings and hardly looked in trouble. He handled Harris and the pacemen well in equal measure. Harbhajan and Zaheer mixed caution with aggression, hitting the only three sixes in the match for India. Zaheer was extra cautious as India neared the SA score, but gave it away when India were agonizingly close. He tried to smash Kallis's short ball over his head, only to get caught at mid-off. India's hopes were dashed in the very next over as Steyn, back for another spell, got Saha plumb in front. Mishra then got his first pair in Tests, as Steyn castled him again to end the match.

It was a perfect outing for the visitors even as the under-strength hosts were left to lick their wounds. SA can't lose the series as India look to save face and level the series in the 2nd and final Test in Kolkata. Anything less than a win would mean that SA would take the World No.1 crown from India.

Steyn Seven rattles hapless India

Dale Steyn notched up his best figures in Tests, a stunning 7/51 off 16.4 overs, as SA forced the follow-on on the hapless Indians. After starting the day on 25/0 and 533 runs behind, India were bowled out for 233. The Indian openers then got the dubious distinction of getting out twice on a day, as India ended the day at 66/2 in the second innings, still behind by 259 runs. Barring the biggest miracle of cricketing history or a rain interruption, there is only one winner in this test, going into the fourth day.

India's best chance to save the match was to bat out the first session without losing any wickets. That didn't happen as Gautam Gambhir, in the form of his life, got a taste of failure at last as a gem of a delivery from Morne Morkel produced the edget to the keeper. What made the wicket special was that it was the first ball that Morkel bowled in the day; unluckily for Gambhir, it was the first ball that he got to face too. Murali Vijay didn't last long as he fatally shouldered his arms to Dale Steyn, to a short-of-a-length that jagged back from a good foot outside off. Steyn then got Sachin Tendulkar to nick one back, as SA jolted the Indian top order with three wickets in nine overs. Just the start they wanted with the new ball.

At 56/3, the match was getting out of hands for India. It was evident that only a herculean effort to even save this Test. They had the right man in the middle in the form of Virender Sehwag. He found an able partner in "experienced" debutant Badrinath. Both played within themselves to deny the Proteas anymore wickets before lunch. Sehwag curbed his attacking instincts at times, not playing too many shots in the air. He brought out his trademark straight-bat defense out, even as he punished the loose deliveries. He still managed to get his fifty off just 70 balls. Badrinath on the other hand was cautious and showed lot of maturity and courage, fighting on despite a knock on his shoulder by a Steyn bouncer. At lunch, India looked to have some sort of control, at 119/2.

It was more of the same for the first hour after lunch as Sehwag upped his tempo. He went at run-a-ball, and only slowed down once Paul Harris started with his negative over the wicket line, trying to spin the ball from the rough. Sehwag got his 18th century, one of the more fighting knocks by the batsmen, under immense pressure. But, after that there was nothing for the Indians to cheer in the day. Wayne Parnell got the crucial wicket of Sehwag even as SA were starting look a little edgy, maybe with memories of his triple century in Chennai in '08 still fresh. Parnell bowled well wide of the stumps, with two men in the off-side boundary. Knowing Sehwag would never let go off such balls, he persisted even as Sehwag got two boundaries and one ball went for five wides. Parnell got his man in the fifth ball, as Sehwag stretched to find the bottom of his bat, with the ball going in the air to deep-cover, where Duminy ran forward to take a good catch. Captain MS Dhoni then played for the tea, even as Badrinath got his maiden half-century.

It was disaster after tea as 6 wickets fell for just 12 runs, in 32 minutes. Dhoni was unlucky to get out as a ball from Harris jumped up chest-high from outside leg stemp, taking the glove even as Dhoni padded up. It was Steyn Show from there on as he took 5 wickets for just 3 runs in under four overs. He first got Badrinath to drive one in the air on the on-side to short mid-wicket. Then, it was debutant Wriddhiman Saha's turn to look back in horror at the stumps as he too shouldered arms, clearly having no clue about the reverse swing that Steyn was getting. Then Mishra and Zaheer were castled, and Harbhajan saved himself from getting out clean bowled by getting his pads on the way. It was one of the deadliest spells of reverse-swing bowling, as the clueless Indians rued missing three regular batsmen. SA didn't have to think hard to enforce the follow-on, what with the bowler's still fresh having just bowled 65 overs.

Even the memories of the famous victory after following-on against Austrailia in Kolkata in 2001, were not going to inspire the Indians, given that the trail was a good 100 runs more than that day. Also, the men who did the job that day, Dravid and Laxman, were absent too. India's hopes of avoiding an innings defeat were pinned on the ICC World No. 1 batsman, Gautam Gambhir. But, the pressure was too much for his little shoulders to handle as the law of averages catching up with him, after a brilliant run for the last 18 months. He went for just one this time, in the same fashion as Vijay and Saha, this time off the second ball that Morkel bowled. Then, SA and Steyn rounded off the day, probably their best day in Tests for a while, by getting the danger man Sehwag. A hard slash, with little room resulted in the first catch behind the stumps for the day for AB de Villiers, standing in for injured Boucher. Tendulkar and Vijay then batted out the rest of the overs, limiting the casualty to 12 wickets in the day. The injury to the world record holding keeper was the only thing that went against SA today, but Steyn made up as he never got the keeper into play after that, finishing the job himself. Steyn would certainly tell his grand kids some day that he got his best haul in Tests in Indian of all places, to their horror. Did someone say Indian pitches were graveyards for pace bowlers?

While it would be unfair to criticise the Indian batsmen as they really couldn't do much on a wearing track against some incisive pace bowling. But, there are some questions to be raised on the performance of Indian bowlers, especially Ishant Sharma, who went wicketless. Steyn did today what Ishant was doing to Aussies 15 months ago, in a series where he was adjudged the best player. He has gone to great lows from there and if India has to draw the series level come next week in Eden Gardens, they surely will have to look beyond him.

Amla double takes SA to dominant position

Hashim Amla struck his maiden double century in Tests and his highest first class score with a no-fuss, no-frills unbeaten knock of 253. This was even as Jacques Kallis missed yet another double century, falling on 173, clearly looking scratchy from the start of the day. He probably was itching to get the double ton, and was out of sorts today. But, that didn't bother Amla, who gave SA a platform from where they could dictate terms in the next three days. Indian openers raced to 25 for no loss in the four overs they had to contend with, after SA declared on 558/6.

Starting the day on 291/2, the pair for Amla and Kallis added 55 runs to their partnership, taking the stand well past 300. Kallis was looking nervous to get his maiden double, and took more than a dozen balls to just get off the mark for the day. He finally got out bat pad to Vijay off Harbhajan, after having survived a clear LBW decision in the previous over off leggie Mishra. De Villiers came and looked to dominate the spinners from the offset, and nearly got himself out dancing down the track. Vijay at short leg threw the ball back off de Villiers, but missed the stumps. De Villiers then went on to square a quick half-century with clever use of his feet, at times too predictable, getting himself into some trouble too. He kept the scoreboard ticking, and eventually got out trying to hit part timer Sehwag over his head. Sehwag was delighted to see the edge flying to the point fielder. Duminy didn't last long and once again got out to an off spinner, Harbhajan this time, LBW from around the wicket. Boucher got a few boundaries even as he struggled against the leggie.

Meanwhile at the other hand, Amla was as good as a rock. Barring a sitter dropped by Vijay at short leg when on 149, there were no blemishes in this innings for him. He just played the ball to its merit, taking singles every now and then. Boundaries were a rarity and he wasn't fussed by that though. One could argue that he was a touch slow given the batting friendly wicket. But, he held up one end for the other batters to play their shots.

The Indian bowlers toiled hard throughout the day. One couldn't blame them for the lack of effort, but would blame their luck. Especially Amit Mishra, who seemed to be the unluckiest of all people in the whole of Nagpur. He bowled 53 overs without a single wicket to his name, even though balls went past the outside edge agonizingly close countless times. Harbhajan bowled better than the first day and got the wickets of Kallis and Duminy as reward. He too was a touch unlucky not to pick up more. The batting beauty of a pitch certainly didn't give the bowlers much of a chance. The pacers didn't have much to shout about, with Ishant Sharma going off the boil completely. Zaheer Khan toiled hard and got the wicket of Boucher late in the day for his persistence.

The most surprising thing was the declaration from SA. At no stage did the batters look in a hurry for a declaration. They never forced the pace trying to take risks, as is the case usually. In the end, Graeme Smith's declaration came out of the blues, with just four overs left to be bowled. They might have decided to keep the new ball fresh to use it on a fresher wicket on start of day 3. But, one can't help but feel that they certainly could have played a few more shots, especially with the Indian bowlers and fielder tired, to take the score to the 600 mark. The lack of reverse swing for Indian bowlers would mean that the Indian batters can make merry too if they can see of the new ball. There would be high hopes from the best opening duo in the world, as they face off the best new ball pairing. If India has to have any chance of winning this game from here on in, Virender Sehwag will have to equal Donald Bradman's record of three triple hundreds in Tests.

Indians fizzle out as Kallis, Amla sizzle

India's worst nightmares are not yet over, when it comes to injuries. Having lost Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh before the start of the series itself and with Laxman not fully fit for the 1st Test, India were preparing to field two debutants along with another inexperienced batsman. But, there was more drama to follow. For the umpteenth time an Indian player went down injured playing not cricket, but football! Shocking! It was Rohit Sharma this time, replacement for Laxman. He twisted his ankle during the morning training session, making way for an unexpected debut for wicketkeeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha. You could bet that South African pacers would be licking their lips by now!

After all the disturbances the Indians would have hoped to at least get the toss right and bat first to make the most of a batting track, which could become a turner by last two days. But, it wasn't to be as Graeme Smith called correctly to win the toss; so cruel for the Indians. They elected to bat, but the Indians were not complaining one bit at the end of the fifth over, with the score reading 6/2. Smith and Ashwell Prince had been sent back by Zaheer Khan in consecutive overs. Prince never got off the mark, and after being troubled by Zak, he fended to a superb short ball that climbed to his helmet. Unfortunately for him he didn't get his glove to the ball as the umpire ruled, the ball going to Dhoni off the arm guard. But, there was no Review system in place, and he had to take the long walk back. One wonders will the BCCI ever implement the Review system in India? Don't know what the ICC is upto!

Anyway there was no doubt when Smith was sent back, castled by an incoming delivery. The ball went through the huge gap between the bat and the pad, making a mess of the stumps. Indians were cock-a-hoop and rightly so, given that Smith was the best batsmen for SA in the last series against England. But, as it turned out, Indians had nothing to shout about for the next 86 overs in the day!

Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis set about with the repair job, and they began cautiously. They gave respect to the pacers, especially Zak, who was probing away. There was enough turn for the spinners too for a day 1 track, to keep them interested. Amit Mishra got leg-break to just miss Kallis's edge in the very first over. But, to everyone's disappointment, both Mishra and Harbhajan Singh, bowled well below par. The lines they bowled were flawed for the whole day, with only the rare deliveries troubling the batsmen, let alone coming close to picking up a wicket. Harbhajan couldn't even bowl a single maiden in his 21 overs, and that told the tale.

Kallis, on the other hand, was at his regal best. He fought hard initially, dealing in ones and twos. Once, he got his eye in, there was no stopping him. Boundaries started to fly everywhere towards the end of the first session as he punished the spinners if they bowled even a tad short. He didn't spare the fuller ones of Harbhajan as well, driving them against turn. He brought up his 34th hundred and by that time, Indians had fizzled out. He didn't put a foot wrong the whole day, giving no chance to the bowlers. He certainly looks good to get his double century come day 2. Amla, on the other end, was more circumspect, moving at snail's pace at times. But, he gave good company to Kallis. But, he acclerated towards the end of second session and from there on, he quickly got to his eighth hundred. He did provide an opportunity, a catch that went begging just to the left of Murali Vijay at first slip, off who else, Zak. One wonders, what was the need for slip to be as wide as it was there?

The second new ball didn't trouble the batsmen more and the Indians will have their task cut out for the second day. The only solace for them is that SA haven't run away with the match in terms of run rate. They were probably a good 50 runs short given the pace of Test matches these days. That means India can still come back if they can pick up early wickets tomorrow morning. It won't be easy for new batters to play freely and with JP Duminy not in the best of forms, Indians certainly has a chance for a comeback. All said and done, they would have to bowl way better than today to contain the Proteas to a score that wouldn't overburden the 'weakened' Indian batting lineup.

The Battle for Top Honours

India and South Africa go head-to-head in a 2-match Test series, a battle between the ICC World No. 1 and 2 sides. The excitement over the buildup for the 1st Test starting on Saturday, is palpable, given that the winner of the series gets the top honours of ending the year as the World No. 1. The reward of $175,000 may not be too mouth watering (at least for the BCCI!!), but the No.1 Team tag certainly is.

Either way, the result of this series will in no way stop the skeptics blabber about India not being the deserving the No. 1 team, at least until the Indians conquer their last two frontiers in South Africa and Australia. Who knows, had it not been for Bucknor's intervention, India might as well have conquered down under in '08. They certainly have the chance to set the record straight in SA, when they go there later this year. But, for now India are the World No. 1, a crown they deserve, a crown not won overnight or by chance. Even a drawn series will be enough for India to remain in the top spot, but with a captain like Dhoni at helm, everyone will know that the Indians will be going for nothin less than a outright win. Don't hold it against them to even whitewash the proteas.

As for the match starting tomorrow, Indians have more than enough headache with as many as four starters set to miss the game. Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh have been ruled out of the whole series and Sreesanth is not yet fit. VVS Laxman is less likely to start as well. So, all this means is that India will have a big hole, a crater really in their famed batting lineup. Add to this the fact that the guys replacing the batting trio are an inexperienced trio. Only Murali Vijay, has played in Tests, just three of them at that and he has the giant boots of Dravid to fill, the crucial No. 3 spot. Then there are the debutants, Subramaniam Badrinath (certain for a Test Debut finally at the age of 29, after a long & cruel wait) replacing Yuvraj and Rohit Sharma, coming on the back of a strong showing in Ranji, including a triple hundred, likely to fit in for Laxman. With the proteas boasting a more than quick pacers in Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Wayne Parnell, it will be a test by fire for the Indian batters.

Morkel especially will look to fire in some short stuff to trouble the Indians. Dale Steyn will be deadly in case he gets some swing, conventional or reverse, with his raw pace making him all the more lethal. Wayne Parnell may be inexperienced, but he will complete the trio who will regularly clock 145kph+, something none of the Indian pacers will be able to do.

But, Zaheer Khan has never got wickets with his pace (except with his slower ones). He is among the top bowlers in the world, and arguably the best exponent of reverse swing. He will spearhead the Indian attack with all Indians praying for Ishant Sharma to give him good company. If Ishant can get anywhere close to the heights of the home series against the Aussies in '08, then the Proteas will be in trouble as well. Never mind the fact that they have been bred on green tops, and not even a tinge of grass will be there in Indian pitches, but Ishant can trouble the best when on song.

As for the spin department, India are clear winners, with Harbhajan Singh expected to rack up wickets on raging turners, something the pitch for the match could turn into towards the business end of the match. It will be a tossup between Amit Mishra and Pragyan Ojha to take the second spinners spot. On the other hand, Paul Harris has been out of form for SA, and Johan Botha doesn't look anymore lethal either.

With the pitch expected to be batting friendly for at least first 3 days, toss becomes all the more crucial. India will be banking on their openers to deliver as always, the duo of Sehwag and Gambhir arguably being the best in the World, especially with in-form Dravid not following at No. 3. That adds extra pressure on Viru, who might be forced to be a tad cautious with his approach. But, we all know that guy, a pearl of Indian cricket that he is, he won't shed his natural game for anything, which actually is the way to got for a guy like him. Gautam Gambhir, in the form of his life, will look to shoulder the responsibility, as he has been doing for the last 18 months. Sachin Tendulkar will be under immense pressure in case of a top order failure, with youngsters in front and behind him. It will be yet another test for the maestro, and as always the whole country will be rooting behind him to do it again.

The Proteas have more than a healthy batting lineup, with only JP Duminy out of form. The likes of Jacques Kallis and AB De Villiers will be their main men, both being excellent players of spin. Hashim Amla at No. 3 is no muck either.

Finally to the men who matter the most, the two captains. Both captains have the tough task of leading their men in the middle of so much trouble. While Dhoni has more than enough on his plate with key players out, Graeme Smith has to get the focus of the players back after their coach Mickey Arthur resigned. The team will be looking forward to some inspirational stuff from their captain, and he can ill afford to be distracted, when he opens the batting. Dhoni on the other hand has the job of keeping the wickets and then to bat out for long hours, in case the inexperienced ahead of him fail. He will certainly will have to sweat a lot if he wants to keep his record of not losing a single match under his rein in a dozen matches intact. But, you can bet though that it will be last thing on his mind. A unique talent that he is, he will ensure that even with the depleted squad he has got, there won't be any drop in the intensity on the field.

So, its time to fasten your seat belts as two evenly matched teams clash in an all-out battle.

N.B:- Don't forget to pray for the rain gods to keep away from the Orange city.