Kolkata: Breaking News! Despite the dismal performance and humiliating innings defeat in Nagpur test, Team India bounced back to win the second test match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata by an innings and 58 runs and retained the No. 1 spot in the ICC Test Rankings.

 

It was a hard-fought victory for Team India, as they won the match with just three balls to go. There was disappointment all over, and it was thought the match would end in a draw, but Harbhajan struck at the death and won it for India.

 

With this victory, India levelled the two-match test series against South Africa 1-1. India defied all odds, including the absence of its key players, loss of toss and interruption of play due to rain and bad light to emerge victorious.

 

Resuming from the overnight score of 135/3, South African batsmen Amla and Prince batted superbly in the morning. Prince survived for over 100 minutes today, but finally he fell to Harbhajan Singh. He made 23.

 

After Prince's departure, de Villiers did not last long and was out just before the Lunch. South Africa were 164/5 at Lunch. After Lunch, Harbhajan Singh struck twice to leave South Africa stranded at 180/7.

 

Amla and Parnell showed great resistance and added 70 runs for the 8th wicket. Ishant broke Parnell's resistance and also claimed Paul Harris. Amla and Morkel batted for 20.4 overs to frustrate the Indians, but finally Harbjahan had the last laugh.

 

Despite the fall of wickets at regular intervals, Hashim Amla stood firm and completed his 10th test hundred. He had earlier scored a double century in Nagpur test and a century in the first innings here. 

 

India missed Zaheer Khan's bowling today, as he got a muscle strain and failed to take the field. But that did not prevent the spinners from ripping through the South African batting order. South Africa were finally bowled out for 289 and lost the match by an innings and 58 runs.

 

Hashim Amla remained unbeaten on 127. For India, Harbhajan Singh took 5 wickets, while  Amit Mishra took 3 wickets. Ishant took 2 wickets. India avenged the innings defeat it suffered in Nagpur. South Africa had beaten India by an innings and six runs in the first test match in Nagpur.

Hashim Amla was adjudged 'Man of the Match' and 'Man of the Series' for his stupendous performance in both test matches. He hit one double hundred and two hundreds in three innings. No Indian bowler had an answer to Hashim Amla's batting form.

Scores: South Africa 296 & 289; India 643/6 dec