5 most interesting Test matches between India and South Africa

3. Second Test in 2004-05 series at Kolkata:

Those were the days mired with match-fixing controversy and the third Test tour of South Africa to India was almost a non-starter. The Protess threatened to pull out if they were not offered any assurance that their team members, Herschelle Gibbs and Nicky Boje would not be prosecuted by the Indian police in the match-fixing scandal. However, both players pulled out and the tour went ahead as scheduled.

The second Test of the two-Test series was played at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, between 28^th November and 2^nd December, 2004.

South Africa, led by the young Graeme Smith, won the toss and chose to bat.

Backed by a wonderful century (121, 399m, 259b, 12*4) by the all-rounder Jacques Kallis and a well made half-century (61, 209m, 162b,’ 7*4) by Jacques Rodulf and their-109 run third-wicket partnership (the second best partnership in the match) enabled South Africa to post a total of 305 runs in their first innings.

Irfan Pathan (31-7-72-3) and the other left-armer Zaheer Khan (27-7-64-3) were the chief wreckers with Harbhajan Singh (21.3-6-54-2) providing ample support.

With Virendra Sehwag scoring 88 runs (189m, 118b, 11*4, 2*6), Rahul Dravid scoring a patient 80 runs (328m, 247b, 8*4), their 127-run partnership (the highest in the match) for the second wicket, and ably supported by the wicket-keeper, Dinesh Karthik (46, 217m, 147b, 6*4), India notched up 411 runs in response, thereby taking a lead of 106 runs in the first innings.

Makhaya Ntini was the most successful bowler claiming 4 wickets giving away 112 runs in his spell of 44 overs.

Setting to wipe out the lead and to set a stiff target for India, the visitors commenced their second innings.

Eden gardens, being spin-friendly, offered a lot of support to Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble. Both the spinners ran amok and shared the ten wickets amongst themselves. Harbhaljan (30-3-87-7) and Kumble (34.4-7-82-3) proved their mettle.

Skipper Smith (71, 169m, 124b,’ 11*4), the first innings centurion, Jacqus Kallis (55, 133m, 98b, 4*4) and Zander de Bruyn (32*, 103m, 72b, 2*4) collectively could lead the tram to score only 222 runs in their second innings.

Needing just 116 runs for a victory, India scored 120 runs losing both the openers, Virendra Sehwag (10, 23m, 18b, 1*4) and Gautam, Gambhir (26, 73m, 56b, 5*4).

India won the match and the series 1-0.

Harbhajan Singh, for his match figure of 51.3-9-141-9 was awarded the Player of the Match.