Kolkata, India: (Eden Garden) -  February 16, 2010 – IR Summary/TNN - 

The Himalayan impression created by  South Africa against India looks to have been zeroed since there are four players who hit centuries. In the present sessions, VVS Laxman and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni have slammed individual hundreds here today as India consolidated their position in the second Test against South Africa by extended their first innings lead past 300 runs. 

Stylish Laxman scored his 15th Test century, his fourth at Eden Gardens, as he also completed 1000 runs at the same venue.

Skipper Dhoni also slammed his fourth Test century, his first against the Proteas. Both Dhoni and Laxman have added 200 runs for the seventh wicket.

On Monday, Sachin Tendulkar notched up his fourth consecutive Test ton, his 47th overall and Virender smashed his 19th Test century as India amassed 342 for five in reply to South Africa's first innings total of 296.

India came out of the second session unscathed and were comfortably placed at 548 for six at tea on day three at the Eden Gardens.

Both Laxman and Dhoni cashed in on the lacklustre fielding efforts by the visitors and made full use of the dropped chances, building up an undefeated 164-run stand at tea for the seventh wicket.

With local hero and former captain Sourav Ganguly in the stands, Laxman completed his fifty to continue his love affair at the Eden, where he played his best knock of 281 against Australia in 2001.

Laxman was dropped by Duminy off Parnell at backward point when he was two runs short of his half-century.

Earlier Dhoni was again proved lucky when on 27 Kallis failed to get hold of the ball at first slip as Harris shouted in frustration, summing up the agony of South Africa.