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Zaheer and Harbajan bring India back into the game

South Africa seemed to be sailing pretty, as they were well placed at 218 for one, after Graeme Smith had won the toss and elected to bat. With Hashim Amla (114) and debutant Alviro Petersen (100) exhibiting a sparkling batting display, South Africa seemed to be cruising along to reach a comfortable total to scuttle an Indian victory, and with it to re-conquer the Number 1 spot concerned with the ICC Test rankings.

But Zaheer Khan and Harbajan Singh had different ideas altogether, as Zaheer sent both the centurions back to the pavilion with Harbajan scalping three victims. India, with the influence of the electrified atmosphere at the Eden Gardens that worked to is advantage reduced South Africa to 266 for 9, when stumps were drawn for the day.

The pitch offering enough bounce produced a marked influence on Zaheer Khan, as he sent the off-stump of the South African captain, cart-wheeling, but, both Ishant and Zaheer failed to be consistent to produce a significant impact during the earlier stages of the South African innings.

Petersen, the debutant, with the right mix of sublime stroke-play and classical defence scripted a wonderful century, as Amla and Petersen, who made his entry into the XI after Mark Boucher hadn’t recovered from the back strain, were on the run hunt with some explosive ball-hitting display. Petersen was brilliant with his wrist play, as the balls directed at the leg and middle, were played with panache to positions anywhere between the fine-leg and that of the deep mid-wicket. Amla, carrying on with the same confidence, produced some enlightening off-side drives, but enjoyed a reprieve, when VVS Lakshman, the safest of catchers, floored a catch at slips as when Amla had edged Harbajan.

Ishant Sharma with some lively bowling punctuated by the hot pitch deliveries seemed to have injected the confidence back into the Indians, as India after tea tasted success as when Zaheer removed both the centurions. Harbajan, foxing Kallis into a mistimed sweep was quick enough to remove Ashwell Prince and J.P. Duminy, with Duminy crediting him with the 350th test wicket.

The last South African pair were quiet happy when the offer for light by the umpires were taken with delight. The second day holds the key to the result of this test match as it could swing either way. It now takes a run-hunting spree on the part of the Indians to bat South Africa out of victory and to hold on to the Number 1 spot in the ICC Test rankings.

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