Kolkata: An aggressive century by Virender Sehwag and a century third-wicket stand put India in control of the second test against South Africa on day two Monday.
At tea, India was 232-2 in its first innings, closing in on South Africa's first innings score of 296.
Sehwag was unbeaten on 125 at the break, requiring just 115 balls, with 19 fours and two sixes as he notched his 19th test century. His trademark swashbuckling style meant India's run rate was a remarkable 5.15 runs per over. South Africa could only regret Jean-Paul Duminy's dropped chance when the opener was on 47.
Sachin Tendulkar was on a more patient 65, off 105 balls with nine fours.
The pair had added 150 runs and batted throughout the second session after South Africa had raised its prospects with two wickets late in the opening session.
The India openers put on 73 for the first wicket before Gautam Gambhir (25) was run out in the tenth over, sent back by Sehwag while attempting a second run to fine leg and stranded mid-pitch.
Murali Vijay came in at No. 3, as India resisted the temptation to elevate the more experienced V.V.S. Laxman to first drop in the absence of the injured Rahul Dravid.
Vijay soon departed, edging a Morne Morkel delivery through to wicketkeeper A.B. de Villiers, who took a diving catch to his right. Regular wicketkeeper Mark Boucher withdrew before the match with a back injury, forcing de Villiers to take the gloves as a back-up.
Play resumed in the morning with South Africa nine wickets down after a spectacular collapse that had seen the tourists lose eight wickets for 37 runs on day one, ruining a strong start.
Last pair Wayne Parnell and Morkel showed some resistance, adding 30 runs before the innings was ended when Zaheer Khan trapped Parnell lbw. Khan finished with 4-90, while Harbhajan Singh claimed 3-64.
