Different strokes

As Laxman (143) and Dhoni (132) combined forces on Day Three of the second Test against South Africa,the Eden Gardens got to see a batting exhibition that catered to the connoisseur and the commoner alike. If the 249-runs partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag on Monday was about coming together of similar styles,India’s second double-hundred stand of the innings was a study in contrast.

The 273-minute Laxman-Dhoni show produced 259 runs,and that translated into India declaring their first innings at 643/6 — their highest total against South Africa — with 10 overs remaining for the day. Trailing by 347 runs,South Africa were left to negotiate the edgy end of the day period,but fading light spoiled India’s declaration calculation. Graeme Smith and Alviro Petersen had scored six runs from five balls when a sudden emergence of a cloud cover brought a premature end to the day’s play.

Earlier,similar overcast conditions and a few drops of rain had threatened a delayed start. As overnight batsmen Amit Mishra and Laxman walked out,the odds of the South African fast bowlers taking advantage of the pace-friendly surroundings were high. That’s when Mishra played a 28-run cameo which,in the final analysis of the match,is likely to be forgotten in a scoreboard that has four centuries.

More than the runs Mishra scored,it was his stay on the pitch that was more significant. He brave resistance of the Proteas attack that lasted about an hour meant Dhoni walked out to bat amid bright sunshine.

Perfect setting
The setting was perfect as the twain met. Early in their partnership,Laxman and Dhoni showed how despite playing the same shot,they can still retain their originality. As Dale Steyn bowled a short pitched delivery,Laxman merely pivoted off his backfoot and with an unhurried swing of his horizontal bat,directed it to the mid-wicket fence.

In the next over,Jacques Kallis tested Dhoni with a short-pitched ball. It met the same end,but the means were different. Dhoni lifted his front leg and as if providing top-spin to the ball,sent it crashing through the same region.

The initial reactions of the South African fielders after being hit gave another clue about the diverse strokeplay of the day’s heroes. When Dhoni hit a drive,they gave up early. Off Laxman’s subtle tap on the ball,they always thought there was a chance,only to realise the futility of the chase. While Dhoni’s power is obvious,the speed of Laxman’s shots is understated. But as the day progressed,the fielders knew better,and the South Africans looked exhausted as lazy bodies went through the motions.

After almost two days on field,they now will have to bat for as many hours. The match is scheduled for a 9 am start on Wednesday to make up for the lost time,but the chances of it looked bleak with the city experiencing persistent rain late in the evening.

The gloomy weather might uplift the mood in the visitors’ camp,though. Their hopes of becoming the World No.1 side have all but faded,the rain might help salvage the series,at least.