Ind vs SA : India 342/5 at close on the day second

After polishing off South Africa's first innings at 296, India rode on Tendulkar's 47th century and Sehwag's 19th century to reach 342/5 at close on the second day. India lose three key wickets in quick succession at the fag end.

At stumps on an eventful day, VVS Laxman (9) and night watchman Amit Mishra (1) were at the crease with India having taken a lead of 46 runs.

The vociferous crowd at the Eden Gardens was treated to a stunning exhibition of strokeplay by the two Indian masters as they put on a 249-run partnership for the third wicket to torment the South Africans, who need to win the match to dislodge India from the number one position in the Test rankings.

But both Sehwag and Tendulkar (106) fell at the fag end of the day alongwith S Badrinath to allow the visitors to claw back into the game to some extent.

It was Tendulkar's fourth century on the trot since the first Test against Bangladesh in Chittagong last month.

He hit his second century in the second Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur and his third came in the first Test of the ongoing series in Nagpur.

Earlier, resuming at 266/9, South Africa added 30 runs to their overnight total before Wayne Parnell (12) was dismissed by Zaheer Khan leg before wicket in the fourth over of the second day.