India vs. South Africa, 2nd Test: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 roars back with outstanding bowling effort at Durban
After being mauled in the first Test match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 at SuperSport Park, the top-ranked Test team in the world proved once again that taking the number one spot from them would be no mean feat even for the South Africans.
By the time the second day’s play ended at the bowlers’ paradise Kingsmead ground in Durban, the South Africans seemed not to know what had hit them.
After being dismissed for a paltry first-innings total of 205, the Indians sent the Proteas packing for a dismal 131 runs in their first innings. This dramatic change of fortune was most unexpected considering the tourists were
hit at almost five runs per over at SuperSport Park when the hosts amassed a staggering 620/4 and declared their lone innings in the first Test.
South African supporters could hardly believe what they saw as Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh weaved a web around the batsmen with their probing, seaming, swinging and spinning deliveries.
South Africa’s centurion from the first Test, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AB-de-Villiers-c887, was extremely disappointed with his team’s performance with the bat on day two. The right-hander, who had smashed the Indian bowlers all around SuperSport Park on his
way to a 75-ball century in the first Test, was skittled out for a duck by S. Sreesanth.
“We batted extremely poorly,” said de Villiers at the end-of-day press conference. “There were quite a few soft wickets, but they also bowled well."
He added that the Indian attack looked much sharper with the presence of paceman Zaheer Khan, who made a comeback after missing the first Test due to a hamstring injury.
"He put us under pressure from the word go," de Villiers said. "Their lengths and lines were spot on. They bowled a bit wide to us so we had to leave a few more. You expect the No. 1 team to bounce back after
a poor performance. They caught us offside today."
On the other hand, the Indian camp was elated with its bowling effort. However, the celebrations were cut short with the Indian batting collapse later in the day. By close of play, India were 92/4, which has softened
their grip on the match a bit. They are 166 runs ahead but they have only six wickets in the kitty with three days left in the match.
Nonetheless, it was a smiling Harbhajan Singh who addressed the media after the day’s play. The off-spinner also acknowledged the efforts of pace ace Zaheer Khan.
"In the last press conference I had mentioned that other people can definitely do the job, and I will stick to those words," he said. "But obviously Zaheer is an experienced guy, and whenever he plays, he plays a major role in
the bowling department. It's great to see how he approaches each game and takes crucial wickets. He has been outstanding. Not just taking wickets, he helps other bowlers also to take wickets. He is the man."
The stunning turnaround by the Indians has put some fire into a series which was touted as the battle for the number one Test spot. The Proteas have to stay on their toes for the remainder of the match if they are to take an unassailable
2-0 lead in the three-match series.
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