India win by 8 wickets, clinch series 1-0

India win by 8 wickets, clinch series 1-0

Thursday, December 2, 2004 (Kolkata):

India have won the second Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata by 8 wickets, winning the series 1-0.

Chasing a target of 117, India scored 120 with the loss of two wickets. Rahul Dravid (47) and Sachin Tendulkar (32) remained unbeaten.

The hosts suffered an early setback, losing star opener Virender Sehwag in the morning session. Makhaya Ntini got the breakthrough, and Sehwag was caught by Graeme Smith.

Gautam Gambhir (26) and Dravid steadied the innings for a while, with Gambhir slamming five hits to the boundary, but his hopes of a big score were dashed when Jacques Rudolph snared him leg before.

Bhajji strikes

Earlier, Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble stepped up the attack early on the last day of the match and the visitors were bowled out for 222 with a lead of 116 runs.

Bhajji first caught and bowled Jacques Kallis who was the sole obstacle for India to get closer to victory.

He then struck a second time, and this time, the new man at the crease, Shaun Pollock (6), was caught by Gautam Gambhir.

Justin Ontong, who replaced Pollock, couldn't last long and also fell to Harbhajan, this time caught by Dinesh Kaarthick.

Kumble closes in

Anil Kumble then closed in on the South Africans. The veteran leg-spinner first bowled Thami Tsolekile, and then Makhaya Ntini also fell victim, caught by Dravid.

Kumble has now equalled Kapil Dev's record of 434 Test victims.

On Wednesday, Harbhajan struck vital blows in the post-tea session to put India in control of the second Test.

The 'Turbanator' picked up four wickets to leave the visitors struggling at 172 for 5 at stumps.

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(With PTI inputs)