 India crash to an embarrassing defeat at Motera
5th Apr 2008 20:00 IST
Agencies
Ganguly and Dhoni, let off twice, strung together a stand of 110 runs for the fifth wicket to keep the Proteas bowlers at bay till the former edged an intended drive off first innings chief destroyer Steyn.
The left-hander looked surprised to be given out as his bat hit the ground before the ball seemingly took the edge, as indicated by television replays.
Till his dismissal, the former captain looked well set to compile his 16th Test hundred as he caressed the ball to the off-side in his much-admired fashion and also played a few straight drives with élan against the rival pace bowlers.
Dhoni, who was dropped hooking Steyn on the long-leg fence by Ntini and then survived a stumping chance off left-arm slow bowler Paul Harris, fell at 268.
For the second time in the match, he played a loose shot just before the second new ball was due, and edged Ntini low to Smith at first slip.
Skipper Anil Kumble was bowled through the gate by Harris for 5 to leave India tottering on the brink at 273/7 which became 292/8 when the visitors summoned the second new ball after 85 overs and Steyn accounted for Harbhajan Singh and Rudra Pratap Singh to finish with three more wickets to add to the five taken in the first innings.
First innings top-scorer Pathan hung on grimly and remained unconquered when last man S Sreesanth swung wildly at Ntini and was bowled to end the proceedings.
The last time India lost at home by an innings was against the same opposition in 1999-2000 by an innings and 71 runs in Bangalore.
The innings defeat was India's first anywhere since 2001-02 against Sri Lanka in Colombo and their last home Test loss was in March 2006 against England in Mumbai.
Their last defeat inside three days was in 2001 against Australia, also in Mumbai.
The two teams will now travel to Kanpur for the third and final Test beginning April 11 and the pressure will squarely be on the home team which has no option but to win to level the series. |
