Tendulkar, Gambhir steady http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in deciding Cape Town Test
After a nervy start to their innings, India managed a solid partnership courtesy http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Gautam-Gambhir-c58623 and Sachin Tendulkar. The match is evenly poised at this stage with India ending the day at 142 for the loss of two wickets.
Both the Indian openers started tentatively, as a few balls missed the bat. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Virender-Sehwag-c95429 swatted at a couple of deliveries, but was unable to find the middle of his bat consistently. He was out for 13 when he mistimed a drive to Graeme Smith at the short
cover position.
When Sehwag got out, the total was 19. After his dismissal, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Rahul-c83321 Dravid joined Gambhir, and the pair had a few problems in running between the wickets. They were together at the crease for just nine runs, but there were several mix-ups between them. Dravid
was almost run-out when he was sent back by Gambhir after he had run half way down the track. Luckily for Dravid, the throw from the substitute fielder http://www.senore.com/Cricket/JP-Duminy-c1742 missed the stumps, and there was no one to collect the ball at the stumps.
Dravid wasn’t lucky a second time, when the ball was hit to http://www.senore.com/Cricket/AB-de-Villiers-c887 by Gambhir. Devilliers hit the ball directly at the stumps and Dravid was short of the crease. He was out after just adding five runs to the total. India were struggling at that stage
with two wickets down for just 28 runs. Tendulkar then joined Gambhir in the middle, and both batsmen steered India out of trouble. At the close of play, the pair had put together a 114-run partnership to give the total some stability.
Gambhir scored a half century and was unbeaten on 65 at close of play. Tendulkar was one short of his half century until yesterday’s play. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 to pick up a wicket. He dismissed the dangerous Sehwag in his first
spell. All the other blowers remained wicket-less, and the second wicket came courtesy some good fielding from Devilliers.
India still trails by 220-runs, but they have eight wickets remaining, and two set batsmen at the crease. They will look to close the gap with the first innings South African total. On the other hand, the Proteas will look to attack the Indian batsmen in
the first session of play. A few quick wickets should give them the upper hand, by putting the Indian lower-order under immense pressure.
South Africa will also be hoping that Jacques Kallis comes out to bowl, and supports the team by picking up a couple of wickets.
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