JOHANNESBURG: Indian quicks showed fightback; dismissing South Africa for 229, before Cheteshwar Pujara anchored the second innings; providing a 58-runs lead to the touring side at the end of day two.
On the second day of the second Test, India’s top-order batters stepped up after Shardul Thakur’s magnificent bowling spell troubled the hosts. The pacer recorded the best bowling figures by an Indian bowler against South Africa, in their backyard.
Earlier, in the morning, the home side started the proceedings at 35/1; trailing by 167 runs. Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen looked to anchor their side’s position in the match; recording a brilliant 74-runs partnership, but, the duo could not get going for long, as Elgar departed after scoring 28.
Petersen, on the other hand, stood firm and kept the scoreboard ticking. The right-handed batter then went on to smash his maiden Test half-century. The 28-years-old looked to switch the gears but Thakur’s brilliant delivery undid the Proteas’ top-scorer of the first innings. He managed to score 61; smashing nine boundaries.
Following his dismissal, the side began to lose wickets at an alarming rate, Temba Bavuma, however, looked to fight back, but he too, fell short soon after reaching his half-century. With little to no contribution from the batting tail, the home side, in the end, bundled out for a meagre 229. Bavuma scored a valiant 51.
For India, Thakur starred; claiming seven wickets, while Mohammed Shami bagged two. Jasprit Bumrah, on the other hand, made one scalp.
Starting with a 27-runs deficit, India, halted by a poor start; lost both their openers for just 44. KL Rahul departed after scoring eight, while Mayank Agarwal scored 23.
Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane then retaliated and made sure the side did not lose further wickets. The duo added a fighting 41-runs for the third wicket before stumps were called. Pujara (35*) and Rahane (11*) will now resume the proceedings for the touring party at 85/2 on the third day of the ongoing Test.
For the Proteas, Macro Jensen and Duanne Olivier each bagged one wicket apiece.
