After Shardul Thakur registered a seven-wicket haul in Johannesburg to bundle out hosts for 229, India took a 58-run lead in the last session to give themselves an advantage going into Day 3. Despite losing both openers, India posted 85/2 in 20 overs as the game is delicately poised between the two teams.
Debatable decision
Stand-in skipper KL Rahul was given out despite a questionable catch in the slip by Aiden Markram. Rahul was clearly not happy as he was leaving the field. The on-field umpire’s call could not be changed because of lack of conclusive evidence. After scoring half-century in the first innings, Rahul had to depart for a score of 8.
Opener Mayank Agarwal got off to a decent start but did not offer a shot on the delivery that came back in and hit his pads. Agarwal did not opt for a review after having a word with non-striker Cheteshwar Pujara, he walked off the field for a score of 23.
Pujara’s counter-attack
Underfire Pujara took an attacking approach to the innings as he lost his wicket on last two occasions despite spending time at the crease. The no.3 batter looked to score and remained unbeaten for 35 off 42 deliveries. He scored only seven runs running between the wickets as he scored seven boundaries with 42 deliveries. He walked off the field after the day’s play with a strike rate of 83.33.
Another under-pressure batter, Ajinkya Rahane provided good support from the other end and did not let Proteas speedsters inflict more damage with the new ball. Rahane contributed 11 runs to the unbeaten 41-run partnership for the third wicket. Both Pujara and Rahane have a point to prove in the second innings to keep their place in the side after a string of ordinary performances.
For South Africa, Duanne Olivier and Marco Jansen picked up one wicket each in the second innings.
Earlier in the day, Thakur picked up seven wickets for 61 runs creating a record for best bowling figures on South African soil by an Indian bowler. Keegan Petersen and Temba Bavuma’s half-centuries helped the hosts post 229 on the board and take a 27-run lead.
