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.
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