Before Monday in Nagpur, South African strike bowler Steyn, was generally most renowned for his lethal out-swingers at pace. Suddenly, though, shell-shocked India – and the world, too – have learned of his new-found ability to bend the ball the other way on a sustained basis.

The result was carnage, with the Proteas now handsomely placed to strike for a big win over the ICC’s No 1-ranked side after an eventful day three of the first Test.

India’s first innings spectacularly unravelled in a 37-minute period after tea, where they slid from the relative sanctuary of 221 for four, in reply to the Proteas’ beefy 558, to 233 all out.

For sheer suddenness, it was all very Waqar Younis-like … the great Pakistani toe- and timber-hunter would have been proud of Steyn’s post-interval salvo of 3.4-2-1-5.

Certainly the 26-year-old Phalaborwa Express, albeit with many years of good cricket ahead of him, will be hard-pressed to repeat a dose like that, even as he registered a personal best innings return of 7/51 in 16.4 overs.

“With one of the most lethal and joyful spells of pace and swing seen in India, a red-hot Dale Steyn took the pitch out of the equation and led South Africa to the verge of what should be close to their finest Test victory”  -Cricinfo

All good and well, this was yesterday. Do not expect the same collapse from India today. We are in for a almighty fight back  from Sachin Tendulkar and mates. SA might just need another ripper from Paul Harris to disturb the Indian apple cart. We must at all cost prevent India from setting us a target. Anything around 80 to 120 runs in the last 2 sessions will to be a  night mare.

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