India wins Durban, test series equal at 1-1

AS SOON as the last South African wicket fell in the form of Lonwabo Tsotsobe, Team India was ecstatic as it won the second test match being played in Durban in style. This victory also ensures that the Indian team stays in contention to win its first test series in South Africa, provided it shows the same spunk and form in Cape Town.

 

Chasing 303 to win the test match and the series, South African were all out for 215 runs, falling short by 87 runs. This great victory was scripted by some stupendous bowling by pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, S Sreesanth, Harbahjan Singh and Ishant Sharma. The real hero of the second inning was S Sreesanth, who claimed the important wickets of Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis.

 

Sreesanth proved to be the real nemesis of the Proteas as he hit the deck hard and maintained a great line and length. Zaheer Khan also claimed three crucial wickets of Mark Boucher, Dale Steyn and Paul Harris.

 

Here a special mention should be made of the great innings played by VVS Laxman, who made crucial contributions of 96 runs in the second inning and 38 in the first, ensuring that India could put a fighting total against the home team. Laxman played in style and as usual his contribution proved to be a match winner for India and quite fittingly, he was named the man of the match at Durban.

 

In the first inning, Harbhajan bowled brilliantly and combined well with Zaheer Khan to bring India back into the series and the match. He secured four wickets in the first inning, while in the second, he managed to send two South Africans back to the pavillion, thus paving the way for a great Indian victory.

 

With the last wicket falling, the Indians were ecstatic and as usual the plucky Harbhajan Singh roared with stumps in his hands. Indians were seen shaking hands and exchanging high fives as they soaked the moments of victory, which have often come hard for them against the wily and tough South Africans.

 

Brief Score:

India first inning: 205 runs
South Africa first inning: 131 runs
India second inning: 228 runs
South Africa second inning: 215 runs

 

The third test match in Cape Town will start on January 2.

Source: Citizen Journalism News Platform - MeriNews