India fights back after Kallis double century

India fought back to 190-2 in the second innings, still 294 runs behind a South Africa inspired for a second straight day by new double centurion Jacques Kallis in the first test on Saturday.

Half-centuries by Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir in a 137-run opening partnership gave India hope of saving the series-opener with two days to go, even though both were out in the final session.

India was dismissed for 136 in its first innings at SuperSport Park in the battle between test cricket’s top two teams.

Earlier, Kallis hit 201 not out — his first double century in tests — and AB de Villiers smashed 129 off 112 balls as the Proteas amassed 620-4 declared, their highest total against India.

Under pressure, Gambhir responded with 10 fours in his counterattacking 80, but fell lbw to Dale Steyn five overs before the end of play. Sehwag moved quickly to a 27^th test half-century but then lofted a catch to Graeme Smith off spinner Paul Harris to be out for 63.

Rahul Dravid was 28 not out and Ishant Sharma 7 not out at the close, with top-ranked India still nearly 300 runs behind with eight wickets remaining and two days to play.

The visitors’ chances were boosted as the pitch appeared to ease from the pace-friendly surface that had them struggling on day one.

However, evening rain fell at Centurion and was likely to spice up the pitch again and aid South Africa’s fast men.

Captain Graeme Smith eventually called off South Africa’s batting onslaught with a lead of 484 when De Villiers was out soon after lunch, four balls after Kallis reached 200 for the first time to a standing ovation from Centurion’s crowd and his teammates on the dressing room balcony.

The 35-year-old Kallis had 10 previous scores of 150 or more in his 15-year test career, but had failed to convert any of them. He was 201 not out off 270 balls, with 15 fours and five sixes.

‘It makes you proud when you get an ovation like that,’ Kallis said. ‘I still think my first test century is the one but this is obviously up there. It’s very special. It’s nice when the hard work pays off.’

Kallis, with 37 test hundreds in 142 matches before this game, and fifth on the all-time test run-scorers list, went to 200 for the first time with a glance down to fine leg for four off Jaidev Unadkat. South Africa added 254 runs to its overnight score for the loss of two wickets on Saturday.

‘It’s nice, yes, but winning tests is more important,’ Kallis added. ‘As a batsman every time you walk out you want to score hundreds and help your team, but it’s winning that’s the important thing.

‘India are a great team and we didn’t expect them to sit down. There’s a lot of hard work ahead.’

Sehwag and Gambhir suggested India could make a fight of it as they cut and drove with confidence. Sehwag lashed eight fours and a six to be 51 not out off 50 balls as India went to tea 92-0 in 17 overs. Gambhir then survived two dropped catches by Alviro Petersen in the final session in his 14^th test 50.

But, the explosive Sehwag tried to attack the bowling of Harris and fell to a running catch by Smith near the boundary.

With the close of play approaching, Gambhir missed a full ball from Steyn that thumped into his pads to drop India to 170-2, and Dravid and Sharma defended through to stumps, when failing light brought the players off.

De Villiers had earlier blasted the fastest test century by a South African vs. India when he reached his 100 off 75 balls. He struck 12 fours and five sixes in a 224-run stand with Kallis and was the third home player after Kallis and Hashim Amla (140) to make a century in the innings.

Left-arm seamer Ishant Sharma (2-120) finally had De Villiers caught by wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni for his and India’s second wicket of the day. Sharma also ended Amla’s innings early on day three — a tough day for bowlers — when the right-hander edged a leg-side delivery through to Dhoni.

South Africa raced from 366-2 overnight to its 620 in just 43.1 overs, dominating through attacking strokeplay from Kallis and De Villiers. Their partnership added 50 off 42 balls, then 100 from 101 balls and 150 off just 138 balls. The 200-run partnership came off just 192 balls, with De Villiers racing to a 12^th test century with a heave over wide long-on for six off part-time spinner Suresh Raina.

Kallis mixed pulls and cuts with flowing cover drives as he closed in on his previous best test score of 189 not out vs. Zimbabwe in 2001.

He passed that with a gentle push to mid-on and soon after sent a late cut off Sharma racing through backward point to go to 197 — and have the crowd chanting in anticipation.

South Africa’s leading test run-getter then guided a loose delivery from Unadkat in the next over to the rope for his maiden double hundred and removed his helmet, raised his arms and looked up to the sky in celebration.