India clinch a historic drawn Test Series in South Africa

Tags: India tour of South Africa -2010-11, India v South Africa 3rd Test at Cape Town- Jan 2 -6, 2011, Gautam Gambhir

Published on: Jan 06, 2011

Scorecard | Commentary | Graphs

It was a historic drawn Test Series for India as they could never achieve this feat in their previous tours of South Africa who could only take three wickets on the final day.

It was a historic drawn Test Series for India as they could never achieve this feat in their previous tours of South Africa who could only take three wickets on the final day. Gautam Gambhir led the way by batting out for more than two sessions for his match saving 64 from 184 balls. His was the only wicket to go in the final session before the two Captains decided that there was no result possible in the game. Gambhir was caught off the glove down the legside while trying to evade a rising delivery from Steyn around his rib cage.

After Gambhir's dismissal, the experienced duo of Sachin Tendulkar (14* from 91 balls) and VVS Laxman (32* from 67 balls) secured India towards a draw in the next 20 overs or so. The Man of the Match went to Jacques Kallis for scoring two centuries in the match and he also got the Player of the Series award.

Tea on Day 5

India are almost there for a draw in this Test Match as they went to Tea at 114 for 2 with opening batsman Gautam Gambhir is still there in the middle with an unbeaten 62. Sachin Tendulkar who scored a magnificent century in the first innings is giving him company. India lost only one wicket in the entire afternoon session in the form of Rahul Dravid. Lonwabo Tsotsobe provided this breakthrough but it had come far too late to create any panic in the batting side.

Dravid looking to come forward in defence got an awkward bouncing ball from round the sticks which he had to edge it behind to gully. The former Indian Captain batted out 112 balls to score 31 runs while staying at the crease for around 37 overs.

Lunch on Day 5

India are working hard to force a draw in the final Test at Cape Town as they went to Lunch at 53 for 1 in 28 overs. Gautam Gambhir has so far played a gutsy knock of 32* having batted out 80 balls. His partner at the crease is Rahul Dravid who is determined to come up with a match saving knock, currently he has survived 49 balls for his 8*. The only wicket going down was that of Virender Sehwag in the 12th over when he got a bouncing ball from Morne Morkel in a forward defence which was edged behind to first slip.

Sehwag was looking shaky at the crease right from the first ball and he could only score 11 (from 40 balls). Gambhir on the other hand was struck on the left elbow painfully by a short delivery from Morkel but he showed lots of courage thereafter to weather the storm.

- BV Swagath

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