Cricket Photos

How India won Kolkata Test

February 18, 2010 18:21

India, with the help of some solid batting display and spirited spin bowling, managed to put the Nagpur ghosts behind and win a thrilling Test in Kolkata to level the series 1-1.

As India retain their number one Test position, CricketNDTV.com takes a look at how India won at the Eden Gardens with limited resources. (AFP Photo)

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India, with the help of some solid batting display and spirited spin bowling, managed to put the Nagpur ghosts behind and win a thrilling Test in Kolkata to level the series 1-1.

As India retain their number one Test position, CricketNDTV.com takes a look at how India won at the Eden Gardens with limited resources. (AFP Photo)
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Winning the toss, South Africa had elected to bat but Zaheer Khan's fiery spell and Harbhajan Singh's spin restricted them for just 296 runs despite centuries from Hashim Amla and debutant Alviro Petersen.

Harbhajan, who was under scrutiny after his failure in the Nagpur Test, picked three wickets on his favourite hunting ground.

However, Zaheer Khan was the wrecker-in-chief in the first innings as he picked four wickets and executed a terrific run-out. (AFP Photo)
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India came out to bat on Day 2 and were off to a good start before a miscommunication between Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir resulted in latter's dismissal. However, Sehwag compensated for it with a swashbuckling 165 runs.

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar too raised his 47th Test ton which was subdued yet a solid one. (AFP Photo)
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Like Harbhajan, the Eden Gardens also happens to be VVS Laxman's favourite ground and he once again proved why he was Very Very Special. He slammed an unbeaten Test century during his 259-run partnership with MS Dhoni.

Dhoni, too, grabbed the opportunity and raised his fourth Test ton. With four big hundreds, India declared their innings for 643/6. (AP Photo)
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While India looked well placed to level the series, weather gods had their own story. While teams went for an early close on day three, fourth day's play was marred by bad weather and only 34.1 overs were bowled on Day 4. (AP Photo)
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South Africa lost three wickets with leg-spinner Amit Mishra taking two wickets and Harbhajan claiming one. But it seemed luck was on South Africa's side as large part of Day 4's play was lost due to poor conditions. (AFP Photo)
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To add to India's woes, Zaheer pulled up a leg muscle and had to leave the field. Left with just three mainline bowers, India had to some task at hand on the final day. Ishant Sharma's recent form didn't look motivating either. (AFP Photo)
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India opened the bowling on the fifth day with Virender Sehwag. In the first session, India managed to pick four wickets. Harbhajan dismissed Ashwell Prince, JP Duminy and Dale Steyn, while Amit Mishra dismissed AB de Villiers. (AFP Photo)
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Meanwhile, one player continued to play like a 'Man on a Mission'. Hashim Amla, who had an exceptional series with the bat, slammed his third century of the series.

After slamming a double ton in Nagpur, he hit centuries in both the innings in Kolkata. Technically, his ton in the second innings in Kolkata was much better than his previous hundreds. (AFP Photo)
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Amla had all the plans to take South Africa atop the Test table, but all he needed was a steady partner.

While the tailenders showed some resilience, it was not enough. Ishant, who had had some disappointing outings with the ball in the recent times, struck twice after the tea and sent Wayne Parnell and Paul Harris back in the hutch. (AFP Photo)
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After that it was a matter of just one wicket. Last man Morne Morkel joined Amla and the duo had almost taken their side home when Bhajji struck for the final time to claim Morkel as his fifth victim. His 8-wicket match haul helped India win the Test. (AFP Photo)

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