Double hundred for de Villiers

AB de Villiers hits a massive six from Harbhajan Singh

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AB de Villiers became the first South Africa batsman to hit a double century on Indian soil as the Proteas powered into a 418-run first-innings lead on day two of the second Test in Ahmedabad.

De Villiers’ inspired display saw the 24-year-old end unbeaten on 217 when the heavens opened in spectacular fashion above the Sardar Patel Stadium to bring the day’s proceedings to a premature close with the tourists on 494 for seven.

The performance also marked the first time de Villiers had completed a double ton in first-class cricket, justifying the decision of the South Africa selectors to move the right-hander down the order.

Jacques Kallis also shone for the tourists, reaching 132 before he was bowled by Sri Sreesanth to end his 256-run fifth-wicket partnership with de Villiers.

The demise of Kallis triggered a slight middle-order collapse as Mark Boucher (21) and Morne Morkel (one) were both trapped leg before to leave the tourists on 452 for seven in the 133rd over.

But de Villiers raised the spirits by passing 200 four overs later, the batsman pushing Harbhajan Singh’s low full toss through extra cover for four runs.

His double ton came off 320 balls, including 17 fours and two sixes, one of which left de Villiers on the turf, such was the force of his swing.

Harbhajan congratulates de Villiers on his hundred

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De Villiers kept his concentration after reaching the milestone and along with Paul Harris (nine not out) took the score close to 500 at stumps as the tourists made a mockery of India’s woeful first-innings total of 76.

Earlier, de Villiers completed his fifth Test century, in 174 balls, while Kallis’ 30th Test ton arrived shortly after lunch, from 228 balls, a knock that included 12 fours and one six.

Kallis required a degree of luck to keep his wicket intact for much of the morning session, twice surviving scares that on another day might have seen him walking back to the pavilion.

He first rode his luck when he pushed Harbhajan lightly on to the stumps but the bails stayed in place, while he was also hit on the pad in front of middle stump by Sreesanth but the umpire dismissed the India appeals.

But the 32-year-old had used up all his fortune by the afternoon session, and finally succumbed to a fired-up Sreesanth after playing on from a delivery that pitched just outside off stump.

South Africa wicketkeeper Boucher was next out to the crease and put on a circumspect 21 from 48 deliveries before India captain Anil Kumble trapped him lbw.

Morkel’s was the only other wicket to fall on a frustrating day for the Indian attack, the 23-year-old leaving a gap that Harbhajan found to hit the pad in front of leg stump.

The three-match series is all level after the first Test in Chennai ended in a draw.