Steyn seven stains Indian batting line-up

Dale Steyn ran through the Indian batting like a hot knife through butter and stunned them into a follow-on as South Africa took full control of the first Test match at Nagpur. Chasing South Africa’s 558/6 declared in the first innings, the Indians collapsed to 233 all out and were 66/2 in their second innings.

It did not take Morne Morkel too long to strike as Gautam Gambhir edged one to the wicket-keeper off a ball that went away after pitching. Steyn then induced Murali Vijay into leaving a ball that hit the stumps and had Sachin Tendulkar nicking one to the wicket-keeper.

With no VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid in the line-up, it was left to the rather sedate looking Virender Sehwag and debutant S Badrinath to steady the innings. The pair added 136 runs for the fourth wicket thanks to the hundred by Sehwag and a half century by Badri, as the Indians went into tea at 221/4 and relatively happier.

However, it was after the tea break that things began to go wrong for the Indians. MS Dhoni was dismissed in a freakish manner when he shouldered arms to a Paul Harris delivery and it kicked up and hit his bat on the way through to the slips. Three balls later, Badrinath flicked Steyn to short mid-wicket, whereas the rest of the tail capitulated without voice to the reverse swing of Steyn. He ended with figures of 7/51.

With a lead of 325 to their name, the South Africans enforced the follow-on after much discussions and the decision proved to be the correct one. Both the openers were dismissed by Steyn and Morkel as India scraped to 66 without any further loss. With 259 runs still to be scored, India will need to bat for at least 140 overs to hope to save the game. Unfortunately, without too much batting down the order, it will require much more than a miracle to save the Indian side from loss in this game.