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Shewag and Tendulkar put India on top pedestal

Sachin is ageing, but like wine, with his stints at the crease providing the testimonial evidence, as he can be best described as a phenomenon in the world of cricket. The second day of the Eden Gardens test between India and South Africa witnessed classical centuries from the Master, Sachin Tendulkar, and from the breezy Shewag as India were 342 for 5 at the close of second day’s play.

A blistering 165 from just 174 deliveries by Shewag and a crafty 106 from Tendulkar saw India wrestle advantage from the South Africans, though a late comeback brightened the hopes of South Africa. India lost three wickets in quick succession, as Tendulkar, Shewag and Badrinath were back in the pavilion, within a space of three runs.

Earlier the South Africans put on 30 runs, after resuming play at 266 for 9, when Zaheer Khan struck for the Indians with the wicket of Wayne Parnell. Zaheer with figures of four for 90 and Harbajan with three for 64 tasted maximum success with the ball. The visitors played for 15 minutes in the first session before their innings came to an end. With Gambhir and Shewag setting up the fireworks, the South Africans were clueless to the initial onslaught. Shewag thumped Morkel for boundaries on the off-side and Gambhir, out of sorts in the previous test, decided to play a waiting game by rotating the strike. Gambhir was dismissed when the score was 72, as he became a run out victim for a personal score of 25.

Murali Vijay received a hostile welcome, as Morkel surprised him with a quick bouncer which struck him on the helmet. Murali Vijay didn’t last long as Morkel ended his stay at the crease when he was caught behind the wickets by the stand-in wicket keeper AB de Villiers. Shewag and Sachin steadied the Indian innings with the total reading 232 for 2 at tea. The final session saw India loose three wickets with the elegant VVS Lakshman and night watchman Amit Mishra battling it out till the close of play. The Indians finished the second day at 342 for 5, with a lead of 46 runs to their credit.

The third day is sure to test both the teams, as both would be playing to outwit the other.

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