SPORTS
Only 34.1 overs could be bowled between the weather disruptions and the Indian spinners managed to knock off three South Africans wickets to reduce them to 115 in 35 overs.
India were left with just one day to push for a series-levelling win after rain and bad light truncated most of penultimate day's proceedings in the second cricket Test against South Africa here today.
Only 34.1 overs could be bowled between the weather disruptions and the Indian spinners managed to knock off three South Africans wickets to reduce them to 115 in 35 overs.
Hashim Amla once again stands between India and victory after his patient 80-ball 49 with Ashwell Prince (0) giving him company at stumps.
South Africa still need 232 runs to make India bat again in the match even though the hosts would hope to polish off the remaining seven wickets tomorrow to draw the series and remain the number one Test team.
Both the Indian spinners Amit Mishra (2/15) and Harbhajan Singh (1/31) troubled the South African batsmen with plenty of turn that was on offer at the Eden Gardens pitch.
Even though Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men are eager to have a go at the South Africans tomorrow, there is bad news for them as the Met office forecast predicted more rain tomorrow.
The final day's proceedings tomorrow will be held half-an-hour in advance and the play is scheduled to begin at 8.45am. The match got off to a delayed start of about one-and-half hours and less than three hours' play was possible today.
The fourth day's proceedings were scheduled to begin at 8.57am to have a total of 95 overs of play but overnight showers meant that play could not be started on time.
Umpires Ian Gould and Steve Davis had their first inspection at 9.30am and another 30 minutes later. Curator Prabir Mukherjee and the groundsmen also sprang into action and play eventually began at 10.30am and it was decided to have a total of 82.1 overs for the day.
South Africa resumed at six for no loss with Zaheer finishing the last ball of his incomplete first over and Dhoni pressed leading spinner Harbhajan into service but the ploy did not have the desired result immediately.
Dhoni introduced Mishra in the 13th over and the leg-spinner responded by claiming rival skipper Graeme Smith (20) with his very first delivery that trapped the left-hander plumb in front and the Eden Gardens crowd erupted in joy.
Playing with a fractured finger, Smith was thoroughly tested by Zaheer Khan who generated enough bounce and swing to trouble the batsman.
In the fifth over of the day, Zaheer almost gave India a breakthrough in the form of Alviro Petersen who was on two.
The debutant South African opener, who carved a century in the first innings, had an outside edge that zipped past a diving VVS Laxman at second slip but the Hyderabadi could not reach.
Mishra eventually drew first blood when he removed Smith and South Africa lost their first wicket at 36.
Harbhajan opened his account 3.2 overs after lunch, with the scalp of debutant Petersen. The first innings centurion had to depart for 21 after he inside-edged one to short leg where S Badrinath pouched it in his second attempt.
The second wicket pair of of Amla and Petersen contributed just 18 runs and with India making in-roads through Harbhajan in his happy-hunting ground, the crowd started celebration in an anticipation of an early victory.
Harbhajan nearly had his second victim a couple of overs later but Amla, on 10, was dropped by Murali Vijay at backward short-leg in what appeared a difficult chance.
It turned in sharply from outside the off-stump and took the edge and after hitting the pad it flew low as Vijay was little late in reacting.
Soon light started fading even though play continued. Under the gloomy condition, South Africa lost another wicket as Mishra ended the 57-run Amla-Jacques Kallis partnership.
Just when the duo took the South Africa past 100-run and began to consolidate on their partnership, a sharp leg break from Mishra ended Kallis' (20) stay.
As Kallis was leaning forward to defend, the ball spun sharply taking the edge for Dhoni to do the needful.
Four balls after Kallis departed with South Africa 111 for three, umpires stopped play because of bad light at 1.45pm.
Minutes later, it started drizzling as the groundsmen rushed to the field with the covers.
Zomato's specially-abled delivery agent's unstoppable spirit melts hearts online, watch viral video
World’s most polluted city has AQI of 700, it’s not Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru
Will Vande Bharat sleeper train outclass Rajdhani Express? Here's all you need to know
Rama Ekadashi 2024: Know date, history, vrat rituals, shubh muhurat, and significance
Meet filmmaker allegedly slapped by Shah Rukh Khan, gave big flops with Akshay Kumar, Salman Khan
Why lifts have mirrors? Reason will surprise you
Delhi chokes amid rising air pollution, AQI crosses 400 at...
Gujarati is now third most-spoken Indian language in THIS country, not US, UK, Australia, it is...
NASA Alert: Giant 500-foot asteroid, as big as a skyscraper is approaching Earth tomorrow at...
Chinese woman calls Indian food ‘dirty’, changes her mind after..., watch viral video
5-20-30 rule to lose belly fat: Know benefits, risks and a step-by-step guide
ISRO chief reveals launch dates for upcoming missions: Gaganyaan, Chandrayaan-4 likely in…
J-K: Terrorist hideout busted in Poonch; two grenades, three Pakistani mines recovered
Apple iPhone 16 is now banned in THIS country due to…
'Can fit 20 Empire States inside': World's largest building worth Rs 415000 to come up in…
More than 22000 kilograms cheddar cheese worth Rs 3 crore stolen in major scam from…
Maharashtra: Stampede at Mumbai's Bandra Terminus leaves 9 injured
World’s richest man Elon Musk briefly worked illegally in US after quitting…: Report
Anupamaa actress Nidhi Shah says Rupali Ganguly is insecure: 'Mere saath toh bahut...'
Tata-Airbus Project: PM Modi, Spain PM Sanchez to inaugurate TATA aircraft complex in Gujarat today
Delhi-NCR Pollution: Delhi's air quality hits 'very poor' category, AQI drops to...
Israel versus Iran: Know the current situation in 10 points
4 Indians, including siblings, killed in accident as their Tesla crashes into divider in Canada
Here's why Do Patti actor Shaheer Sheikh is called 'Shah Rukh Khan of Indonesia'
Meet Rachel Gupta who became first Indian to win Miss Grand International, she is from...
Indian girl dances with US man on Bhojpuri song in front of India Gate, VIDEO goes viral
Why Ratan Tata didn’t give anything to brother Noel Tata in his will? Reason is….
Bigg Boss 18: Double elimination in house, Nyra Banerjee's BB journey ends? Here's what we know
Meet IAS officer, who got separated from son, left-high paying job, cracked UPSC with AIR...
ADRE grade 4 exam today, check admit card link, exam day guidelines here
Assam: Mobile internet services to be suspended in state today due to…
Wearing shoes, slippers is banned in this Indian village; know why
EAM Jaishankar slams Canada's targeting of envoy, says, 'we completely reject...'
DNA TV Show: Baba Bageshwar calls for Hindu unity on Social Media
Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024: When and where to watch Sri Lanka A vs Afghanistan A final match?
Telugu actor NT Ramaswamy gets slapped by woman during screening of his film Love Reddy; here’s why
What's Baby Ariha Shah issue between India and Germany, know about 3YO kid
Gujarat: 10 hotels in Rajkot receive bomb threats, police launch investigation
Glenn Maxwell reveals how Virat Kohli saved his career after all-rounder's horror IPL 2020
‘Naa shakal naa surat…’: Veteran actor says Priyanka Chopra refused to kiss him, got upset when he…
Dhanteras 2024: 5 inauspicious things to avoid buying on Dhantrayodashi
Maharashtra Assembly polls: BJP releases second list of 22 candidates
Rama Ekadashi 2024: Know the date, shubh muhurat, rituals and significance
How India can still qualify for WTC final despite losing home series to New Zealand?
EAM Jaishankar praises military, diplomacy for India-China patrolling breakthrough along LAC
Isha Ambani stuns in modern Banarasi saree gown at Fashion Trust Arabia Gala
'Oxford failed me': Indian student claims racial discrimination after removal from...
Gautam Adani faces huge loss after Rs 6189 crore project faces halt in Kenya due to...
Maharashtra assembly polls: Congress makes SHOCKING claim, says two MLAs offered crores to...
Vidya Balan breaks up silence on REJECTING Bhool Bhulaiya 2: 'I told Anees ji that...'
Govt extends ITR filing deadline for corporates, check new date here
Meet woman, from remote Odisha village, who cracked UPSC exam by YouTube videos, secured AIR...
Dhanteras 2024: Gold to silver, 5 auspicious things you should buy for good luck
When Madhuri Dixit met with life-threatening accident on Diwali, her body caught fire, then...