Gambhir, Tendulkar guide India after Kallis' brilliance

India restored the balance in the series deciding third and final cricket Test with a spirited batting response after South Africa relied on Jacques Kallis' brilliant 161 to post 362 in their first innings here today. The experienced Kallis notched up his 39th Test ton and teamed up with tailenders to guide South Africa beyond the 350-run mark after they were down 283 for eight at one stage.

The day clearly belonged to Kallis who defied a rib injury to score his second ton of the series and join Australia captain Ricky Ponting as the second highest century-getter in Test cricket. Temperamental pacer S Sreesanth was the chief wrecker for India scalping five South African wickets for 114 runs while Zaheer Khan gave him able company with figures of three for 89.

In reply, Gautam Gambhir (65) and Sachin Tendulkar (49) put India on course with a fitting reply as the visitors reached 142 for two at close on the second day of the match at the Newlands track which appeared to have eased out considerably. After bundling out South Africa, the Indians were in for early trouble as they lost Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid inside the first 30 runs.

Image: India's Sachin Tendulkar plays a shot during the third test against South Africa played in Cape Town, Monday, Jan 3, 2011.

Text: Reuters

Images: AP