India Fight Back Following Kallis Double-Century

India Fight Back Following Kallis Double-Century

Virender Sehwag (left) and Gautam Gambhir both scored half-centuries as India made a solid start to their second innings at Centurion Park

©REUTERS/Mike Hutchings (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

India Fight Back Following Kallis Double-Century

Jacques Kallis celebrates after reaching his double-century

©REUTERS/Mike Hutchings (SOUTH AFRICA - Tags: SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

India 136 & 190-2 (Gambhir 80, Sehwag 63) v
South Africa 620-4 dec. (Kallis 201no)
First Test, Centurion Park, day three
Scorecard

Jacques Kallis scored his maiden Test double-century as South Africa declared on 620 for four against India, who then closed day three of the opening match at Centurion Park on 190 for two in their second innings.

India, who were bowled out for 136 in their first innings, showed a dramatic improvement with the bat second time round with openers Gautam Gambhir and Virender Sehwag scoring half-centuries.

They will, however, resume the fourth day some 294 runs behind and with plenty of work still to do if they are to stay in touch - still more if they are to save the game.

South Africa began the day on 366 for two and the runs continued to flow with Hashim Amla going on to make 140 before he was caught by Mahendra Singh Dhoni off Ishant Sharma.

Kallis, who had failed to reach a double-century in his distinguished career which prior to this match included 239 innings, first passed his previous best of 189 and as soon as he reached 201, South Africa declared their innings closed.

At the other end, AB de Villiers needed just 75 balls to race to his 12th Test century and he closed unbeaten on 129 in 112 balls, having hit 12 fours and five sixes.

Kallis also hit five sixes, as well as 15 fours, in 270 balls.

Under pressure, India then responded in kind as Sehwag (63) and Gambhir (80) added 137 runs for the first wicket before Sehwag was caught by Graeme Smith off Paul Harris having after facing 79 balls.

Gambhir, who struggled badly in the first innings, was far more fluent as he made 80 in 124 balls but was dismissed shortly before the close when he was trapped in front by Dale Steyn.

Rahul Dravid was not out on 28 alongside nightwatchman Sharma on seven when stumps were drawn.

South Africa owed their strong position in the match to bowlers Morne Morkel and Dale Steyn, who took seven wickets on the opening day and then excellent batting from the top order when they replied on day two - Smith and Alviro Petersen also scoring half-centuries.

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