India Vs South Africa :- VVS Laxman and Mahendra Singh Dhoni stroked unbeaten hundred to give India a huge 347-run lead over South Africa on the third day of the second and final Test at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The pair shared an unbeaten stand of 259 as the hosts declared their first innings closed at 643-6.

South Africa resumed the day with second new ball is just four overs away but delayed taking it backfired and the overnight pair of Laxman and nightwatchman Amit Mishra (28) took no time to settle down.

Morne Morkel however had Mishra caught at slip in his second over with the new ball but departed with the useful 42-run with Laxman. South Africa hope of restricting the host to a manageable total thrashed when Dhoni and Laxman both established another solid stand to boost India lead.

Laxman was dropped by stand-in wicketkeeper AB de Villiers on 23 and JP Duminy at backward point on 48 but ultimately passed the 7,000 test run milestone and hit 12 fours as he approached his 15th test century. Dhoni had also offered a difficult chance to Jacques Kallis at slip off Paul Harris but cured back to complete his fourth hundred with the help of 10 fours and a six.