Zeecric Bureau
Nagpur: Virender Sehwag and Subramanian Badrinath led India’s fightback, taking India to 119/3 at lunch on Day 3 of the first Test versus South Africa at Nagpur.
Joining forces when India was reeling at 56/3, the due undertook repair job with much-needed calmness after the Proteas’ pacers threatened to wreak havoc in the morning.
Sehwag traded his brutal self for a more sedate one, and was unbeaten on 63 runs at break. Badrinath too, having weathered a couple of body blows from Steyn early on, was looking solid during his 21 runs.
Earlier, India were in a spot of bother as South Africa snared 3 early wickets on the third day’s play morning, exposing the vulnerability in the Indian batting order.
Resuming the day at 25/0 after South Africans had declared at 558/6 yesterday, India suffered their first jolt in the second over of the day when Gautam Gambhir fell without adding anything to his overnight score of 12 runs, to Morne Morkel.
Dale Steyn then cleaned up Murli Vijay with a peach of a delivery, the ball swinging inwards after pitching, to leave India reeling at 40/2.
Vijay made just 4 runs.
Steyn then dealt the biggest blow to India, when he had Sachin Tendulkar caught behind by Mark Boucher. Away moment proved to be Mumbai Maestro’s doom, who had already launched himself into a drive.
Tendulkar contributed just 7 runs to India’s cause and at 56/3, revival seemed a distant dream.
The onus shifted on senior pro Sehwag, and greenhorn Badrinath, as they attempt to wade out of the troubled waters. The duo has taken just nascent steps towards recovery and would look to consolidate the partnership.
India need to make atleast 359 runs to avoid the ignominy of follow-on.
