SA strike after Sehwag, Tendulkar tons

Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar smashed impressive centuries before South Africa fought back with three quick wickets on the second day of the final Test on Monday.

Sehwag cracked 23 fours and two sixes in his 165 off 174 balls and shared a third-wicket stand of 249 with Tendulkar (106) as India reached 342-5 by close at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Venkatsai Laxman (nine) and Amit Mishra (one) were at the crease when stumps were drawn for the day, with India leading South Africa’s 296 by 46 runs with five wickets in hand. India, who lost the first Test in Nagpur by an innings and six runs, need a win to square the series and retain their number one position in the official Test rankings.

AFP