Team India created history at the Wanderers by winning their maiden Test on South
African soil courtesy to superb bowling by Sreesanth, Zaheer and off course Anil
Kumble, who claimed some important wickets in the hour of crisis and also
batting performance of Ganguly and Laxman in particular.
South Africa were bowled out for 278 in their second innings
as India won its first ever Test in South Africa by a margin of 123 runs.
It was a memorable Test for many players of Team India.
Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, who staged a comeback in Indian
Test time after about a year, made a patient 51 in the first innings to steer
his side post a respectable total at a time when likes of Sachin Tendulkar
and Rahul Dravid failed to click with the willow. V.V.S. Laxman was the
other player who justified his elevation as the vice-captain of the team as
he made a clean 28 in the first innings and played a sheet anchor's role ion
the second when he scored 73 showing his vintage touch.
In the bowling department, it was a dream Test for young Indian pacer from
Kerala, Sreesanth, who took five wickets in the first innings to help his team
skittle out hosts on a paltry 84 and boosted his side's chances of tasting the
first-ever victory here by claiming three more in the second.
Zaheer Khan, another beleaguered pacer till he was recalled for national
service, turned over a new leaf by not only taking crucial South African wickets
and providing breakthroughs but also by bowling with precision and accuracy.
He also proved his mettle with the bat in the second innings.
A marked improvement was also seen in the fielding department of the Indian
team with Laxman, Sehwag and Sachin taking some brilliant catches.
India had made 249 runs in the first innings and 236 runs in the second.
Sreesanth was adjudged man of the match for taking eight wickets in the Test.
Kumble, Zaheer and Sreesanth took three wickets apiece in the second innings.
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