Indians succumb again to fiersome SA bodyline attack…..

Team India batsmen Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman resumed duties on the third day of the second Test against South Africa at the Sahara Kingsmead Stadium in Durban on Thursday but succumbed to fiersome bodyline attack by Nel & party..

Tendulkar, overnight not out on 46, reached his 50 soon after the start of play with the help of a boundary, to stamp his presence on the proceedings.

But 22 runs later, Makhaya Ntini scripted the master batsman’s end as he tried to cheekily lift the ball over wicketkeeper Mark Boucher’s head, only managing to offer a catch for 63, leaving the visitors 125 for four.

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly only lasted only two balls at the crease as a Makhaya Ntini delivery kept getting bigger at the batsman, the ball taking the shoulder and looping towards Herschelle Gibbs who made no mistake. A baffled Ganguly left the crease for a duck, the Indians down to 125 for five.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni arrived at the crease to tidy the situation India found themselves in, facing a fired up South African pace attack, gunning for no less than the helmet.

VVS Laxman got hit in the process by Andre Nel trying to evade a scathing incoming delivery. Dhoni too smelled the leather, Nel again on the money, the batsman still managing a smile.

However, the swashbuckling batsman gave way after reaching 34 assisted by seven luscious blows to the fence as Morne Morkel came into the act and so did AB de Villiers with the catch. The tall fast bowler struck again to remove Anil Kumble for naught with India going seven down and still 149 runs in arrears.

VVS Laxman kept his end intact even after being at the wrong end of bouncers, continuing to wage a battle of his own when little else stuck around. Zaheer Khan too perished after scoring two, handing a third wicket to Morne Morkel who continued to impress on debut, India now 183 for eight.

India, still behind South Africa have a tough ask to not only overcome their opponents’ total of 328 in the first innings, but also have to go ahead to keep their nose in front and ensure they don’t lose the grip in the three-match Test series, which they already lead 1-0.