I'm a relived man now: Kallis

Centurion:

South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis said he is now a relieved man after scoring his maiden Test double ton, and that too against India, in the first cricket Test on Saturday.

"Yes, the monkey is off the back and I no longer have to answer the question why I have not got a double hundred in Test cricket. Really it's big relief for me," an ecstatic Kallis said at the post-match press conference after scoring an unbeaten 201.

"Yesterday, I got a call from Yohan Rupert (billionaire cricket lover friend) and he said that if I get double hundred then he will offer life membership of his exquisite golf course to me," he said with a big smile.

"I would have been happy getting this ton against any attack. But honestly speaking getting this knock against India which is the number one Test side in the world is special.

This series is so vital for us and getting good score in the very first test match gives me immense pleasure," Kallis added.

After achieving the coveted feat Kallis looked up in the and he said the gesture was a tribute to his late parents.

"My mom and dad must have been watching from the heavens. They would have loved getting me there. I am sure they must be feeling happy," he said with slightly moist eyes.

Kallis also praised AB de Villiers who scored a quick-fire 129 today.

"He played so well. He took all the pressure off me. The main thing about his batting in recent past is consistency. He is getting big scores for us. It was our planned effort to score at quick pace and AB (de Villiers) played such an attacking innings," the broad-shouldered right-hander said.

Talking about India's batting in the second innings, Kallis said, "They have quality players in their line-up. But I would like to insist that there is something for bowlers in this wicket.

"If you keep bowling in right areas the ball is bound to do something. I believe that we have that firepower to take 10 wickets in the second innings as well.

"We are well aware that there is slight chance of rain on the fourth day of the match but we cannot control weather. I would say that there is going to be some hard work for us on tomorrow. They are going to try their level best to hang in.

We have to keep bowling in right areas to produce expected result," he added.