India force slender 87 run lead, all out for 627

Chennai, Mar 29 (UNI) India were all out for 627 runs in their first innings for a slender lead of 87, in 155.5 overs and 760 minutes, at tea on the fourth day of the first Test against South Africa at the M A Chidambaram stadium here today.

The ardent Chennai cricket buffs who had filled up the stadium in anticipation of a great show by the experienced senior stars Sachin and Sourav after Sehwag's fall, were however, treated to a vintage batting display by another star Rahul Dravid, who went in for lunch on 99. He accomplished his task of registering what was his 25th Test century with a delectable on-drive off Makhaya Ntini. He reached his ton off 272 balls in 377 minutes hitting 14 fours.

But after adding 11 more runs to his score, Dravid fell to Ntini as India's fifth wicket, snicking the ball to Kallis at first slip.

Ntini picked up his third wicket today. With Laxman, who came in after Sachin's early dismissal, and was batting on 19, Dravid added 47 runs for the fifth wicket in 11.5 overs.

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