The Indian batting line up took the cautious approach and, instead of being adventurous and going for the target of 340 on the final day, the visitors dug in deep and held on to draw the 3rd test and levelled the 3 match series 1-1 against South
Africa.
The 3rd and final test of the enthralling series was all set up at the end of the 4th day, where Jacque Kallis played an amazing knock of 109 runs to guide South Africa from a losing position to a position of authority. And it was all
down to India; they could settle for a draw or go for the win.
The day started with India needing 340 from 90 overs to win the 3 match series. However, it was clear from the start that India looked content with a draw. The explosive Virendar Sehwag was not even willing to chance his arm and took the cautious approach.
When Sehwag scores just 11 runs from 40 balls, it is clear that the plan is not to go for the target. Sehwag was dismissed early at the score of 27 in the 12th over. He was caught by Graeme Smith off the bowling of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Morne-Morkel-c77722. Next man in was
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rahul-c83321 Dravid, also known as the Indian wall. The right hander was probably the ideal man to bat in such a scenario. Gautham Gambhir was also looking steady at the other end and was willing to let go anything that was marginally outside his off stump. Dravid,
on the other end, carried on in his typical calm demeanour; the experienced former captain looked unflustered by the close in fielders and excessive short pitch bowling from the Proteas.
The two put on 79 runs for the 2nd wicket, but the amount of time and overs they ate up was more crucial. The partnership lasted for 37 overs and made it clear that if http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 were to accomplish a final day win, they would have to work extremely
hard. Dravid was caught out by Ashwell Prince off the bowling of Lonwabo Tsotsobe for 31 runs from 112 balls.
Next man in was the man who holds almost all the records in test cricket apart from the highest test score in one innings. Sachin Tendulkar made it clear that he wanted to be there till the final ball of the day was bowled and set up camp in the middle.
Gambhir was going well at the other end and completed his 50. Sachin and Gautham added 14 runs in as many overs before Gambhir was caught down the leg side off the bowling of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Dale-c52110 Steyn for 64 runs.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/VVS-Laxman-c2772, the hero for India in the 2nd test, was in next and he joined Sachin in the middle. The two experienced batsmen were determined to leave anything that was remotely off the line, and were padding away anything that was pitched outside
the leg stump
India was at 166 for 3 with Sachin on 14 from 91 balls and Laxman on 32 from 67 balls when play was eventually called off and the two captains agreed to call it a draw. The 3 match test series ended at one a piece and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 managed to hang on to the number
one ranking in test cricket. South Africa's Kallis was named man of the match and also man of the series.
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