VVS Laxman, MS Dhoni Put India in Complete Sway (Tea Report)

posted by Shwetha M R on 5:05 PM | Permalink >> 0 Comments

Skipper Dhoni and VVS Laxman took advantage of South Africa’s lackluster fielding as India extended their first innings lead to 135 by reaching 431 for six at lunch on the third day of the 2010 second and final cricket Test in Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Tuesday.

At the break, Laxman was on 97 (269 mins, 184 b, 12×4), reaping the fruits of a dropped catch by Jean Paul Duminy off Wayne Parnell at backward point at 48.

Playing in his trademark aggressive style, Dhoni was batting on 85 (189 mins, 137 b, 10×4, 1×6) as India reached a mammoth 548 for 6 in reply to the visitors’ first innings total of 296. The seventh wicket partnership is already worth 164.

Laxman is also five short of completing 1,000 runs at his favourite ground Eden Gardens, where he has already cracked three hundreds. Between lunch and tea, the Indian duo completely dominated the South African bowling as they let loose a flurry of scintillating shots.

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 giving much cheers to the crowd.

If Laxman was top art, Dhoni was intimidating for the bowlers, who were already reeling under the onslaught from the earlier batsmen.

Labels: mahendra singh dhoni, VVS Laxman