Cricket Blog

India vs South Africa 2008, 3rd Test, Day 2 Highlights

What happened on the first day, was repeated on Day 2. The pitch has become unplayable after just 2 days. Batsmen who are not technically strong - beware. This pitch is going to keep on getting worse with each passing second.

India started the day disastrously by losing both the openers cheaply. However, the combo of Dravid and Laxman saved them the blushes. The two put on a crucial 78 run partnership. However, both fell in quick succession, leaving Ganguly and Yuvraj to build up another partnership. Laxman’s innings was pure bliss for a Test cricket spectator. It had all his trademark shots and then a few. He made batting look easy as compared to Dravid who, I might add, played one of his grittiest innings to date.

Yuvraj’s inclusion in this test certainly raised quite a few eyebrows, including mine. To replace Irfan Pathan, who was in terrific form with the bat in the second test, with Yuvraj was a major gamble. But then again the skipper for this match is Dhoni, and its a no-brainer how Yuvraj was given a berth in the playing XI. However, with all said and done, the Kings XI captain played an important role in his partnership with Ganguly. Where Dravid was rock solid, Yuvraj was in full flow. His cover drives and pull shots were there. What really annoyed me was the way he got out, clearly indicating that he still has to work on his temperament if he wants a permanent position in the test side.

Dhoni then joined Ganguly and was at ease playing on this wicket. Had it not been for a rash shot at the most crucial of stages, India could have had complete control over this match. Having said that, Dhoni was quick in his run scoring and the partnership was the fastest of this match so far.

Ganguly played like the Ganguly of old. The exquisite cover drives made one wonder why he is out of the ODI team. His knock is surely going to be the deciding factor in the result of this match. When he started losing partners, Ganguly had no option but to go for it, a strategy that eventually led to his downfall. However, his score of 87 from only 119 balls is the top score for the match so far and could be until the match is over.

India managed a slender lead of 23 runs with one wicket in hand at the end of Day 2. All eyes will be on the South African batsmen as they will have to set a target of at lease 200 runs to ensure they go home undefeated.

Full Highlights Part 1

Full Highlights Part 2

Full Highlights Part 3

Full Highlights Part 4

Full Highlights Part 5

Full Highlights Part 6

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