Close India 201 and 206-3 drew with South Africa 362 and 233-5 dec.
Scorecard

A spirited batting performance by Rahul Dravid and Deep Dasgupta saw off South Africa's bowling attack, and other irritants, earning India an honourable draw.

Events off the field threatened to undermine India's attempt to save the match. Instead, the controversial rulings of match referee Mike Denness seemed to steel their resolve. Dravid and Dasgupta showed character and concentration in abundance, batting for over five hours. A thundershower halted play for an hour in the afternoon, but by then the result was not in much doubt.

Dravid was dismissed in the final session for 87, but did enough to silence the critics who were questioning his form, and his stomach for a fight. Dasgupta, sent in as the opener when the senior players backed out, did his reputation no harm at all. In only his second Test, he showed fine technique, and more importantly, superb mental strength.

Shaun Pollock threw everything he could at the Indians, but the batsmen held firm. Pollock himself was at his accurate best – his 26 overs cost just 39 runs – but the rest of the attack was ordinary. Nantie Hayward picked up two late wickets, but it was never going to be enough.

India couldn't have asked for a better morning session – on the field, that is. Play began half an hour early, just minutes after the farce of a press conference featuring the match referee. If the batsmen were affected by the off-field drama, they didn't show it. The first hour yielded 42 runs, and although the runs then dried up –only 49 came in the last 22 overs before lunch – neither batsman looked in trouble. Dravid played with the calm assurance which had given him the label "The Rock".

Dasgupta looked increasingly solid in defence, getting behind the line of the ball. Equally assuring was his ability to weave out of the way of the short delivery. He brought up his 50 shortly after lunch; it had taken him 192 balls.

South Africa finally achieved a breakthrough with the second new ball. Dravid, who had exercised restraint throughout, flashed at a wide one from Hayward and got a faint tickle (171 for 2).

The timing of the dismissal was unfortunate as play was suspended for poor light just one over later. The brief thundershower cleared up in an hour, allowing Sachin Tendulkar to come out in the middle and prove that his batting ability remained unaffected by all the goings-on off the field.

Dasgupta's vigil was finally ended by Hayward with the new ball. Bowling round the wicket, he angled one across Dasgupta, who uncharacteristically hung his bat out. The nick went straight to Kallis at second slip. Dasgupta made a determined 63 off 281 balls (184 for 3).

Tendulkar played a few attacking shots, none better than a hook off Hayward, who exchanged a few words with the batsman. After the match though, Tendulkar exchanged pleasantries with most of the South Africans – one of the more pleasing sights today.

South Africa dominated four days of the match; India fought back gallantly on the last day, but one fears this Test will be remembered for the off-field actions of Mike Denness.

S Rajesh is a sub-editor with Wisden.com in India.

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