Sachin Tendulkar
The 3rd day of the final test match between India and South Africa was surprising for several reasons. One of which was Dale Steyn trying to sledge Sachin Tendulkar, really? Would that be the smartest move? He may be the best bowler in the world as of now but trying to annoy Sachin would result in almost half the entire cricket population (which is India) curse him at home.
The second most surprising event was the throwing of water bottles on the field in Cape Town by the spectators. These foreigners would condemn India when things would get out of hand especially at Ferozshah Kotla in Delhi but I doubt even the South Africans could have dreamed something like this would happen. Indian team’s skipper M.S Dhoni was grinning from ear to ear probably having the same thoughts.
It was clearly visible on the television screen that Sreesanth was getting snide remarks from the spectators when he was fielding at the boundary line, all that is fine, Sreesanth needs to learn how to exercise a little control over his emotions, the point though lies in the fact that our cricket stadiums have barbed wires high up making us feel like caged animals where as they lounge around half naked and freely pass sarcastic comments whenever they fancy.
This match is going neck to neck for both sides, South Africa put up a total of 362 in their first innings and India with the help of Gautam Gambhir who made 93 runs in 222balls and Sachin Tendulkar made his 51st test century of 146 in 314 balls, put India back in the driver’s seat. Harbhajan Singh made a respectable 40runs in 67 balls and Zaheer Khan also contributed with his 23runs in 22balls.
It seemed that all the bowlers were taking out some of their frustrating regarding Dale Steyn on Dale Steyn himself. Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth and even Harbhjan Singh were smacking him for 6’s around the park, much to his dismay with him shooting dirts all the while.
Even so Dale Steyn ended up with a 5 wicket haul, Morne Morkel getting 2 wickets that of Sachin Tendulkar and Zaheer Khan. Ryan Harris also got one wicket that of Gautam Gambhir which is astonishing considering he doesn’t have much talent for the sport at all.
India’s total was 364 with a lead of 2 runs, better than nothing.
South Africa looked comfortable indeed when they came out to bat their 2nd innings, they looked to be flying through with boundaries and Graeme Smith playing Zaheer Khan with so much concentration and so defensively it was like watching Shane Warne send a text message.
One second it was 50 for no loss and then suddenly it was Harbhajan Singh dismissing Graeme Smith who just let his guard down after avoiding Zaheer Khan, Smith managed to put 29runs of 47 balls on the board. Night watchman Harris was sent out to defend the last couple of over’s left for the day and again was flummoxed by Harbhanjan Singh providing a much requite break through for the Indian team. Amla was brought out after much debate and played 4 balls till day 3 ended.
Opener Petersen is at 22 and Amla at 0 at the end of day 3, hopefully day 4 will tilt the match to India’s favour.
Tags: Cape Town, Cricket, India, Proteas, Sachin Tendulkar, South Africa, Sreesanth, Test Match, Test Series, Zaheer Khan
