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India declare first innings 643-6 vs South Africa

Scores: India 643-6d (V. Sehwag 165, S. Tendulkar 106, V. Laxman 143 not out, MS Dhoni 132 not out) v South Africa 296 (A. Petersen 100, H. Amla 114).

Laxman, Dhoni take India clear of South Africa

Laxman and Dhoni closed in on centuries as India took a stranglehold of the second and final test against South Africa.

Laxman was unbeaten on 97 and Dhoni on 85 as the hosts went to third day tea at 548 for six, extending their first innings lead to 252 and well in sight of a series-levelling victory.

The last recognised batting pair put on 164 in an unbroken seventh wicket stand after India resumed on 342-5, 46 runs ahead of South Africa (296), who had rallied with three late wickets on Monday.

The tourists delayed taking the second new ball for four overs in gloomy morning conditions that allowed the overnight pair of Laxman and nightwatchman Amit Mishra (28) to settle down.

Rangy fast bowler Morne Morkel had Mishra caught at slip with the new ball but the nightwatchman had by then put on a further 42 runs with Laxman, who missed the opening test due to injury.

South Africa had clawed back into the contest the previous evening after centuries by Virender Sehwag (165) and Sachin Tendulkar (106) put India well in control of the match they must win to retain the number one ranking.

South Africa are bidding to win their first test series in India for a decade, which would also reclaim the top ranking after the tourists won the opening test in Nagpur by an innings.

Laxman passed the 7,000 test run milestone and hit 12 fours as he approached his 15^th test century, but enjoyed some luck when he was dropped by stand-in wicketkeeper AB de Villiers on 23 and JP Duminy at backward point on 48.

Dhoni offered a difficult chance to Jacques Kallis at slip off left-arm spinner Paul Harris but recovered to plunder the attack for 10 fours and a six as he approached his fourth test hundred.