Day 2 of the first test in Chennai belonged to South Africa. They scored 236 runs and lost 6 wickets in little over 2 sessions.

Resuming the day at 304 for 4, Amla scored the first century of the series. The four through extra cover brought his 4th century in 173 balls with 14 fours. de Villiers was struggling at one end though he scored few quick fours of Kumble, but didn't last long. He was caught behind when tried to drive through off side. The new ball gave the break-through that India wanted.
Amla and Boucher continued the domination, but Boucher's poor call put a break to Amla's good innings. He crossed 150 in 248 balls and was timing the ball well. The cut to cover off Kumble seem to be a run, but good fielding by Sreesanth created the mess between stricker Boucher and Amla. Boucher was few steps down in the pitch, but Amla was almost through the run. The throw by Sreesanth to the wrong end didn't stop Dhoni to pass the ball to Kumble in the bowling end to run out Amla, who was too far away from the crease. This was his first century against India.

Boucher who scored his 28th half-century in Test Cricket, was hitting the ball well. He hit 9 fours in his 70. When he tried hit the ball across over long-on, it took the edge and flew high towards slip where Dravid grabbed it humbly. The score was 510 for 7 and Morkel joined.

The pitch was not helping the bowlers much. Morkel scored an useful 35 and was caught and bowled off Harbhajan. It was a straight and simple catch to the bowler.

The last two wickets added 20 runs to the board. Harris didn't pick the straight ball from Bhajji and edged the ball to first slip. Last batsman to be dismissed was Steyn. He hit the ball high in the air, RP Sing ran across from long-on and took a good catch to finish the South African innings at 540.

Harbhajan was the pick of the bowlers. He picked 5 wickets giving away 164 runs and Kumble picked 2 wickets, Sreesanth and Shewag picked 1 each.

The Indian chase started with 21 overs to play in the day. Shewag and Jaffer opened the innings positively. They were playing shots through gully and driving and cutting the ball to the fence. Shewag hit Nitni for a six over third man. It was a short ball and upper cut over the boundary. Similar shot was played by Jaffier off Nitni for a six.

Shewag scored his 50 off 59 balls with 6 fours and a six.

At the end of day 2, India are 82 for no wicket in 21 overs. Jaffer batting on 25 and Shewag is on 52.

Score:

Toss: South Africa

Venue: Chennai, India

Date: March 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 2008

Captain: Smith (SA), Kumble (India)

Score:

South Africa 540 all out in 152.5 overs (Smith 74, McKenzie 94, Amla 159, deVilliers 44, Boucher 70, Morkel 35, Kumble 2 for 106, Harbhajan 5 for 164)

India 82 for no loss in 21 overs (Shewag 52 batting, Jaffer 25 batting)