By Sirshendu Panth, IANS,
Kolkata : Classic V.V.S. Laxman and blazing Mahendra Singh Dhoni cracked centuries as India reigned supreme with a massive 347-run first innings lead after South Africans floored crucial catches on day three of the second cricket Test here Tuesday.
In a top-class batting exhibition, Laxman remained unbeaten on 143 while skipper Dhoni was unconquered on 132 as the two plundered an unfinished 259-run partnership, the highest for the seventh wicket by India in Tests, to propel the hosts to 643/6 when the innings was declared 86 minutes into the post tea session.
At stumps, which was drawn 18 minutes earlier due to fading light, South Africa were six for no loss, with captain Graeme Smith (batting 5) and Alviro Petersen (1) out in the middle.
The visitors, who got 296 in their first knock, now need 341 to stave off an innings defeat.
Resuming at 342/5, India lost only one wicket, that of night watchman Amit Mishra (28), during the day.
Laxman (343 mins, 260 b, 16×4) once again sparkled on his favourite Eden turf, completing his 15th century in 110 Tests a short while before becoming the first batsman to complete 1,000 runs at the historic ground when he reached 102.
He reached the three-figure mark with a flicked single of Jean Paul Duminy 12 minutes into the final session, and after a 281-minute stay at the wicket.
A little later, Dhoni (187 b, 273 mins, 12×4, 3×6) completed his century by picking up a single with a paddle sweep off the same bowler. It was the Indian captain’s fourth hundred in 43 Tests and came in 230 minutes.
The two players then went on the rampage as Dhoni hit two successive sixes off Duminy before effecting the declaration.
The butter-fingered South Africans floored four chances during the day, with Laxman reaping the fruits of a dropped catch by Duminy off Wayne Parnell at backward point at 48.
Playing in his aggressive style, Dhoni was batting on 85 (189 mins, 137 b, 10×4, 1×6) as India reached a mammoth 548/6 at tea.
The Indian duo completely dominated the South African bowling as they let loose a flurry of scintillating shots to remain unseparated through the session.
After being cautious in the opening session, the stylish Hyderabadi opened up in the post lunch period to play a top class knock with a spree of wristy strokes to delight the crowd.
If Laxman was top art, Dhoni was intimidating for the South African bowlers, who were already reeling under the onslaught from the earlier batsmen. As India stretched the lead, the rival bowlers seemed like going through the motion.
India reached the 400 in the 98th over with Dhoni pulling Kallis through mid-wicket.
However, he was also lucky, as Kallis failed to reach an outside edge. Harris was again the unlucky bowler.
The 100 of the pair was posted in 125 minutes, while Laxman brought up the 500 with a couple of Duminy in the 17th over after lunch. In the morning, Laxman played a watchful knock as India fought through a fine spell from Dale Steyn to consolidate their position and reach 431 for six.
Earlier, Mishra (38 b, 56 mins, 5×4) survived two chances before attempting an upper cut off Morne Morkel only to see Kallis stretch himself and take a fine catch at second slip.
Playing under overcast conditions, Mishra and Laxman (137 mins, 96 b, 7×4) added 48 for the sixth wicket as Steyn bowled his heart out sticking to a good off stump line, beating both batsmen on several occasions.
Spinner Paul Harris, who began proceedings from the other end, almost got Mishra in his first over, but Kallis dropped the edged cut at slip.
The new ball was taken after the 84th over, the ninth of the innings, and shortly after Mishra got another reprieve when rival captain Graeme Smith failed to latch on to an overhead catch off Kallis.