India Missed Opportunity to have Upper Hand!

Though India took 87 runs lead in the first innings, they missed a good opportunity to take a lead of more than 175 and to put pressure on SA. This would have definitely put SA in trouble as they should play for draw and not for win, whereas India had all the opportunity to go for full attack and try for a win.

Resuming the day at 468 for 1, Shewag added ten and went past his own previous record of 309 against Pakistan in 2004 in Multan. His new highest score in test cricket is 319. Smith took th new ball in the first over of the day. Nitni dismissed Shewag caught at slip. He played the shot away from the body without moving the feet. The book took the outside edge and flew to slips. When Tendulkar walked-in, as usual, the crowed cheered him with a thunderous applause. He didn't last long. Nitni once again struck for South Africa through his outswinger pitched up to Tendulkar, who chose to drive, but ended up edging into 2nd slip for a duck.

At the one end Dravind was timing the ball well and staying at the crease. Ganguly was hitting the ball well, but the curt of a short ball from Harris took the edge and Boucher took the catch.

After the first two wickets partnership, nothing flourshing in favor of India. The batsman were surrendering to South Africans cheaply. When Dravind and Laxman were cruising well, Dravind scored his century after lunch. During lunch, India were 7 runs ahead with Dravind on 99. He scored his 25th test century and first in Chennai. He also crossed 10000 run mark when he was on 80.

The Chepauk cricket ground had full of records in this test. Dravid reached his 100 off 272 balls with 14 fours. He was caught at slips by Kallis of Nitni. The three crucial wickets of the day were picked by Nitni--Shewag, Sachin and Dravid. India were leading with 33 runs when Dravid was out. It was left to Dhoni and Laxman to add more to the total, but Dhoni trying to hit Steyn, stepped out of the crease couple of times. Steyn expecting it, he bowled a short ball, which took the gloves and went to Boucher. He was out for 16. This was the first wicket of Steyn, but he used that opportunity and rattled the tail enders. Kumble, Harbhajan and RP Singh were bowled and their stumps were uprooted by Steyn. Kumble scored 3, Harbhajan and RP Singh were out for zero.

Sreesanth got injured just above his left wrist trying to prevent the bouncer from Steyn. The swelling was treated and he continued his innings. Laxman mis-timed the Harris flighted delivery and gave a simple return catch to him. India were all out for 627 and missed a good opportunity to put a huge total on the board. They also didn't carry out their plan of playing out the full day.

Summary of the records:

1. Shewag scored his highest score in test cricket--319;

2. Shewag scored fastest triple hundred--300 of 278 balls;

3. Dravid scored 10,000 runs and is the 6th batsman in test cricket history and third batsman for India. The others are: Lara, Tendulkar, Waugh, Border, and Gavaskar;

4. This is the first time where a double century partnership was scored for the first two wickets;

Starting the 2nd innings with a deficit of 87 runs, Smith and McKenzie played well hitting few bounderis and taking singles and twos. Smith was adjudged leg before off Harbhajan for 35. McKenzie scored his 2nd fifty of this series and is back-to-back 50. He is still batting on 59 and his partner Amla is batting on 35.

Score at the end of Day 4:

Toss: South Africa

Venue: Chennai, India

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

Captain: Smith (SA), Kumble (India)

Score:

South Africa 1st Innings 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 1st Innings 627 all out in 155.1 overs (Shewag 319, Jaffer 73; Dravid 111, VVS Laxman 39, Steyn 4 for 103, Nitni 3 for 128, Harris 3 for 203)