http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 wilts on day one of Durban test
The Indians have lost the chance of building a solid total on the basis of a fine start on day one of the all important second test against the South Africans being played at the Kingsmead in Durban.
The tourists surrendered a 43-run opening stand to lose their way in the first two sessions of the test match that they need to win in order to stay in the series. The match got off to a delayed start due to overnight rain and overcast conditions that were
prevalent at the port city of Durban.
Indian openers http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Delhi-c780 Dasher
scored 25 off 32 balls striking 4 fours. Vijay was then removed by Steyn with Mark Boucher taking a neat catch behind the stumps, Vijay who replaced http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gautam-Gambhir-c58623 in the playing eleven scored 19 runs.
Sachin Tendulkar was the next to go he was caught by Jacques Kallis of Lonwabo Tsetsobe for 13 runs. Tendulkar looked in good touch before an airy fairy shot sent him pavilion wards.
The next to go was the wall of India http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rahul-c83321 Dravid who was the one the Indians were depending on, he was dismissed for 25 runs by a rampant Steyn.
Dravid faced 68 balls; the man of crisis for the tourists Venkat Laxman was steady at the other end playing some delightful shots as he eased through to 38 on a really demanding wicket.
His stay was brought to an end by a stunning catch by Tsotsobe as he attempted a pull shot that was miscued towards the mid-on region.
The loss of the top and middle order hit the tourists badly as they attempt to claw back in the series after the harrowing loss at the super sport park in Centurion where the first test was held.
Cheteshwar Pujara who replaced the out of sorts Suresh Raina in the playing eleven was trying his best to cope with the alien conditions. He looked the part before top edging a pull shot to Boucher behind the stumps who took as easy a catch as he would in
his entire career. Pujara scored 19 runs.
The Indians took tea at 168/6.
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