OWN CORRESPONDENT, Bangalore | Thursday 1.20pm
INDIA have been bundled out for 158 runs by South Africa on the first day of the series-deciding second Test at Bangalore on Thursday.
Javagal Srinath was the last man to go after being superbly caught by Herschelle Gibbs at backward point off the bowling of Shaun Pollock. The Indian inngs could have ended in Pollock’s previous over but Anil Kumble was dropped by Allan Donald on 31.
India were dead in the water on 139/9 after Murali Kartik was run-out by Pollock for a duck after he caught Nikhil Chopra off the bowling of Nicky Boje for four runs.
Boje dismissed Nayan Mongia leg-before wicket for 20 runs after tea, while Mohammad Kaif was dismissed just before the break, trapped leg-before wicket for 12 runs by Jacques Kallis.
Kaif was plumb in front and the decision was never in any doubt.
Nantie Hayward earlier claimed the wicket of star Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar for 21 runs. Hayward returned for his second spell bowled a shortish delivery to Tendulkar who spliced the ball to Hansie Cronje.
Mohammad Azharuddin was caught at gully by Lance Klusener for nine runs after a fine bit of bowling Donald.
Azhar slammed a four off Donald and the next delivery was a vicious lifting delivery that saw the Indian star fending desperately, but the ball skied to Klusener.
Donald needs five more wickets to reach 300 Test dismissals.
India were 59/3 at lunch with South Africa in the driving seat.
India lost their third wicket when Rahul Dravid was caught behind off the bowling of Cronje for 17 runs.
Pollock trapped Sourav Ganguly leg-before wicket for one run, claiming India’s second wicket for 30 runs.
Ganguly misread the line of the delivery completely, and Zimbabwean umpire Russell Tiffin had no hesitation in lifting the finger.
Hayward claimed the first wicket of the Indian innings when he dismissed opener Wasim Jaffer for 13 runs. Jaffer played at a delivery outside offstump and edged to wicketkeeper Mark Boucher for a straightforward dismissal.