The first Test Match between India and South Africa ended up in a much expected Draw. The South Africans in the first Innings piled a massive lead of 540 runs. One of the leading South African Batsman Amla thrashed the Indian bowling attack and piled in 159 runs for his Team. He scored his First Test Match Century against India (in India). The Indian seamers were helpless in Chennai’s dead pitch which favored the batsman throughout the Session. The Jumbo (Anil Kumble) and the terminator (Harbhajan Singh) tried to slow down the pace of the game with the variations but thanks to the dead pitch their efforts ended up in vain. In the first Innings, Anil Kumble took 2 wickets in 45 overs and Harbhajan Singh took 5 wickets in 44.5 overs.

In a reply to this gargantuan total, India had a solid opening. The Sultan of Multan (Virendra Sehwag) chose a right time to find his form. When he did so he got his Second Triple Century and also achieved a major landmark in his career by scoring 319 runs. The fastest century in a Test Match. Dravid, referred as the wall of the Indian Team joined the club of 10,000 run makers and scored a century (25th century) as his contribution to the Indian Team. Sachin Tendulkar failed to make a run in his favorite ground and departed for a golden duck. As the First Innings ended India made 627 runs and got the lead of 87 runs.

South Africa started their 2nd Innings with colorful spirits as the Chennai pitch still favoring the Batsmen. Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh toiled hard to take wickets and control the pace of the game. They both took 1 (20 overs) and 3 (34 overs) wickets respectively in the Second Innings.

As the fifth day went on, the Match was called as a Draw. Virendra Sehwag was declared as the “Man of the Match” for his terrific Triple century in Chennai. The curators must ensure they have a friendly pitch in the Matches to come.

Posted on March 30th, 2008 by Trix
Filed under: test match