South Africa toured India for a three Test series in 2008.
1st Test at Chennai (March 26-30, 2008): In a high-scoring encounter, South Africa batted first and posted 540. Hashim Amla began his love affair with India with a splendid 159. Neil McKenzie made 94 while Graeme Smith and Mark Boucher registered fifties. For India, Harbhajan Singh claimed four wickets.
The Indians would have been under pressure for sure responding to the massive score. But, Virender Sehwag did not feel any. Instead, he raced away to his second Test triple hundred, and the fastest in Test history. The unforgettable 319 came off 304 balls, with 42 fours and five sixes. Sehwag and Wasim Jaffer (73) featured in a double century stand of the opening wicket. Rahul Dravid then chipped in with a century of his own as India responded with 627.
Thanks to Sehwag, India had put the pressure back on the Proteas. But, McKenzie fought hard in the second innings as well, making a sublime 155 not out. Amla continued his good form with 81 as South Africa declared on 331 for 5, and drew the match.
2nd Test at Ahmedabad (April 3-5, 2008): India won the toss and batted first in this game that lasted only three days. On a pitch that assisted fast bowling, South African pacers ran through the Indian batting line up to fold them up for 76. Dale Steyn claimed five wickets, including Sehwag, Dravid cheaply, and the tail. Ntini picked up three and Morne Morkel two. Irfan Pathan's unbeaten 21 was the top score for India.
South Africa cruised their way to 494 for 7 in response with AB de Villiers smashing an unbeaten 217 from 333 balls and Kallis making 132. India needed to bat out of their skins to prevent an innings defeat. But, in spite of half-centuries from MS Dhoni and Sourav Ganguly, they still lost by an innings and 90 runs. Steyn and Ntini finished with three wickets each.
3rd Test at Kanpur (April 11-13, 2008): 1-0 up, South Africa won the toss and decided to bat first in the final Test at Kanpur. But, India came up with an inspired bowling performance at Kanpur. Ishant Sharma and Harbhajan combined with three wickets each to reduce the Proteas to 265. Graeme Smith top scored for South Africa with 69 and Amla made 51, but there were no big scores which hurt them.
India's reply was on similar lines. made 87 and VVS Laxman exactly 50, but they were restricted to 325 -- Steyn, Morkel and Harris all claiming three scalps each. Harbhajan and Sehwag it were who turned the match India's way, with a combined haul of seven wickets. Amla's dismissal for a duck by Harbhajan was a big blow for South Africa even as Sehwag got rid of Smith and Kallis. South Africa crumbled to 121 all out.
India needed 62 to level the series. Sehwag came out blasting in usual fashion. India lost their openers, but the experienced duo of Ganguly and Dravid took India home.
-- By A Cricket Analyst
