India square series with convincing win at Kanpur

© Getty Images Harbhajan Singh was declared the man-of-the-series for his 19-wicket haul

Kanpur: India made amends for the Ahmedabad debacle by thrashing South Africa by eight wickets within three days in a dramatic third and final cricket Test to level the three-match series 1-1 here today.

After two days of pulsating battle between bat and ball on an under-prepared Green Park track, the Indians tilted the balance decisively in their favour with a splendid all-round display to ensure that their impressive track record at home was kept intact.

The script could not have unfolded in a more heartening way for the hosts as they first took a crucial 60-run first innings lead by scoring 325 and then skittled out South Africa for a paltry 121 in just 55.5 overs in their second essay.

Needing 62 runs for victory, the Indians lost Virender Sehwag (22) and Wasim Jaffer (10) but former captains Sourav Ganguly and Rahul Dravid steered the team home.

Rahul Dravid hit the winning runs by sweeping Paul Harris to the boundary at the fag end of the day, triggering off celebrations in the Indian dressing room.

None of the South African batsmen could hang around for long today on the deteriorating surface, making the defiant 46-run last wicket partnership between S Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma all the more important.

Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was the pick of the Indian bowlers with 4-44 while Virender Sehwag returned with career-best Test figures of 8.5-2-12-3.

Ishant Sharma also played a big role taking two wickets for 18 runs. 

The visitors lost the prized scalp of captain Graeme Smith (35) and Jacques Kallis (15) in an engrossing post-lunch session and had just a lead of 28 runs in a match which promises to go down to the wire.

Ashwell Prince was batting on eight and AB de Villiers was giving him company on six at the tea break.

The visitors were showing signs of a gallant fightback on a crumbling track but Sehwag's twin blows late in the session put India in an advantageous position.

Resuming after lunch at a precarious 27 for two, Smith and the experienced Kallis went about the task of rebuilding the innings with great determination.

© Getty Images Ishant frustrated the visitors with a knock of 14. He added 46 runs for the last wicket with Sreesanth

Both were a picture of concentration as they played cautiously against both seamers and spinners to help the team wipe out the deficit without losing any more wickets.

The runs dried up and it was only after young leg-spinner Piyush Chawla was brought into the attack that the runs started flowing again.

Performance Analysis

 

India:

Plus:

1). Bowlers hunted in Pack:

The Indian bowlers performed magnificently on day three to bundle the Proteas out for a dismal total. Part-timer Sehwag emerged as surprise package to chip in with three wickets.

2). Dhoni’s master-stroke:

Skipper Dhoni made an excellent move by opening the attack with the vicious Harbhajan Singh and using Sehwag effectively for most part of the day.

Minus:

1) Jaffer’s batting a major worry:

Wasim Jaffer’s failure with the bat once again has raised questions about him as a Test opener.

South Africa:

Plus:

1). Must not let shoulders drop:

Even though the Proteas lost Kanpur Test, Graeme Smith and his men must not be disheartened as all the South African players showed plenty of heart and fighting spirit on this tour.

Minus:

1). Allowed the overnight partnership to blossom:

The Proteas failed to get rid of the overnight duo early and allowed Sreesanth and Ishant Sharma take the lead pass 50-run mark.

2). The visitors were very over-cautious:

The South African were looking very defensive from the start and as a result the Indian bowlers bogged them down and took wickets in heap.