Sehwag, Gambhir make a promising start (Tea report)

CENTURION - Indian openers Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir made a promising start to the second innings, after South Africa amassed a massive 484-run first innings lead in the first cricket Test here Saturday.

At tea on the third day, India reached 92 for no loss with Sehwag (51) and Gambhir (33) batting at a brisk pace.

This after South Africa declared their first innings at 620 for four. South Africa drew curtains immediately after lunch with Jacques Kallis (201) stroking his maiden double century.

Kallis, who played 270 balls hitting 15 fours and five sixes, and AB de Villiers (129), who smashed the fastest Test century by a South African, were involved in a dominating 224-run stand for the fourth wicket.

The partnership was broken when De Villiers was caught behind off Ishant Sharma (2-120). De Villiers smashed 12 fours and five sixes in 112 balls.

India, who were looking for a spark of inspiration after being shot out for 136 and the South African batsmen piled the misery, wanted Sehwag to fire and he did not disappoint.

Sehwag and Gambhir took some time to see off the new-ball burst of Dale Steyn and Morne Morkel, who ran through the Indian line-up in damp conditions on the rain-curtailed first day.

Seeing that the track has eased out considerably and it does not have any demons, the two openers shifted gears and batted with their naturally attacking flair.

Sehwag struck eight fours and one six, racing to 50 in 46 balls. He came down hard on left-arm pacer Lonwobe Tsotsobe.

Gambhir showed positive intent as he came down the track to hit left-arm spinner Paul Harris for one of the two boundaries in the over before tea.