Laxman and Dhoni put India in charge

Vangipurappu Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni hit magnificent centuries to put India in sight of a series-levelling victory over South Africa in the second and final Test on Tuesday. Laxman carved out an unbeaten 143 and Dhoni struck 132 not out as the hosts declared their first innings closed at 643-6, a lead of 347.
South Africa were six for no loss in their second innings when play was called off due to bad light. Laxman, who passed 7,000 Test runs, hit 16 fours as he reached his 15th Test century. He enjoyed some luck when he was dropped by stand-in wicketkeeper AB de Villiers on 23 and JP Duminy at backward point on 48.
Dhoni offered a difficult chance to Jacques Kallis at slip off left-arm spinner Paul Harris but recovered to plunder the attack for 12 fours and three sixes as he reached his fourth Test hundred. Dhoni hit two successive sixes off spinner JP Duminy as he stepped up the tempo before effecting the declaration with 11 overs still remaining before close of play. South Africa failed to take at least five difficult chances on the field on the third day alone, allowing India to prosper as the hosts slowly regained control of the Test.
SCOREBOARD:
-- South Africa first innings 296
-- India first innings (342-5 overnight)

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G. Gambhir run out                  25

V. Sehwag c Prince b Duminy        165

M. Vijay c de Villiers b Morkel      7

S. Tendulkar c Kallis b Harris     106

V. Laxman not out                  143

S. Badrinath b Steyn                 1

A. Mishra c Kallis b Morkel         28

M. Dhoni not out                   132

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Extras: (b-6, lb-9, w-13, nb-8)     36

Total: (six wickets dec)           643

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Fall of wickets: 1-73 2-82 3-331 4-335 5-336 6-384.
Did not bat: H. Singh, Z. Khan, I. Sharma.
Bowling: Steyn 30-5-115-1 (w-1 nb-1), Morkel 26-3-115-2 (nb-7), Parnell 20-1-103-0, Kallis 12-1-40-0, Harris 50-5-182-1 (w-12), Duminy 15-0-73-1.
-- South Africa second innings

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G. Smith not out              5

A. Petersen not out           1

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Total: (no loss; 0.5 over)    6

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