That’s all folks

India go down by an innings and 90 runs as the South African bowlers once again bowl with fire to bring the second Test to an end in just three days

AHMEDABAD: Was India really playing at Ahemedabad?It looked more like Jo’burg or Durban. At least by the way they conducted themselves on the field.

Getting bowled out for 76 before lunch on the first day, and then going on to lose in three days. And this is the same team that took on the mighty Australians in their own den and recorded a moral victory.

India lost the second Test by an innings and 90 runs, after South Africa declared on the overnight score of 494-7, sitting pretty on a lead of 418 runs. It was the Proteas’ biggest win against India in India, the earlier record was an innings and 71 runs in Bangalore in 2000.

India got bowled out for 328 runs in 94.2 overs, with Sourav Ganguly and Mahendra Singh Dhoni braving it out in the middle for a while, but failing to save the day.

After the unseasonal rains on Friday, conditions in the morning looked ideal for South African bowlers to rip through the already deflated Indian line-up, which had a Herculean task ahead.

Openers Virender Sehwag and Wasim Jaffer failed to provide the start India needed. True to his instinct, Sehwag started boldly, pulling Dale Steyn for two sixes in the very first over of the day.

The first four overs provided an intriguing contest. Makhaya Ntini and Steyn were getting the ball to swing. The little moisture from overnight rain was helping the bowlers. But neither Sehwag nor Jaffer showed any restrain, playing their shots as the score motored along.

However, just when things looked to settle down a bit, Ntini got the ball to swing back in and trapped Sehwag right in front of the wicket.

Rahul Dravid hung around for 41 balls before giving Morkel his first wicket of the day. Morkel got one to nip back in and the ball jumped on Dravid, who managed to get a thick-edge to double-centurion AB de Villiers at third slip.

In walked VVS Laxman and it needed something extraordinary from this man if India were to have any hope of saving the match. His first scoring shot, a splendid drive past the bowler Jacques Kallis, sent a flutter through many a hearts. Maybe we were in for a treat.

At the other end Jaffer was prodding, fishing outside the off stump, playing and missing. It was just a matter of time before he’d get a nick on one. He didn’t keep us guessing for long.

Laxman seemed blissfully unaware of the ruins around him and continued to play like only he can. He hit six brilliant boundaries.

And then, like a beautiful dream, it just ended in a flash. Laxman got a feather touch to the ball on the way to Mark Boucher’s gloves. Sourav Ganguly was then joined by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The two made an awkward pair. With Dhoni responsible was Ganguly’s non-inclusion in the ODI squad, many wondered how the two would fare in the middle.

They did more than alright. Ganguly batted with courage, kept the score moving and Dhoni kept him company not afraid to play his shots. At one point it seemed the two would see India through, if not the match, at least the day.

Ganguly looked comfortable out in the middle even against the pace of Steyn and Ntini. He brought up his 33rd Test fifty and 6th against South Africa in the process.

The duo took India in to tea at 191-4.  Ganguly would consider himself unlucky to be given out caught behind on 87 to Steyn, his highest score against South Africa (bettering his earlier mark of 73 at Wanderers in 1996-97).

Dhoni followed shortly after, flashing outside the off stump to a ball Ntini pitched well wide, Smith taking a low catch at first slip. After that it was just a matter of time.