Shardul Thakur’s record seven-wicket haul on Day 2 of Johannesburg helped India bundled out South Africa for 229 and narrow the hosts’ lead in the second innings. Thakur registered best bowling figures by an Indian bowler on South Africa soil. He broke Habhajan Singh's 11-year-old record in Cape Town. The recently retired off-spinner took seven wickets for 120 runs against the Proteas.
Thakur wreaked havoc on a Day 2 pitch. He was handed the ball in the first session to provide a breakthrough and that’s what he did by removing skipper Dean Elgar who could add 17 runs to his overnight score. Keegan Petersen scored his maiden Test half-century but lost his wicket to Thakur for a score of 62. In the next over, Rassie van der Dussen became his victim as well after scoring just a single.
Temba Bavuma and wicketkeeper-batter Kyle Verreynne were looking dangerous in the middle. Once again, Thakur was brought back into the attack and he broke the sixth-wicket partnership that lasted 60 runs. Quinton de Kock’s replacement fell to Thakur too for a score of 21. Soon after Verreynne’s wicket, Bavuma fell after scoring 51 runs off 60 deliveries at a strike rate of 85. His quickfire inning as per red-ball cricket standards included six fours and one six.
In-form Mohammed Shami joined the party and sent Kagiso Rabada back to the dressing room for a six-ball duck. Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen frustrated Indian bowlers for a while despite the latter copping a few blows to his body. Maharaj was cleaned up by Bumrah for a score of 21. But the ninth-wicket partnership helped hosts get past the 200-run mark and take a lead.
After completing his five-wicket haul, Thakur returned to mop up the tail just before the new ball was about to be dew. The in-form seamer took the wickets of Jansen and Lungi Ngidi in the 80th over. Thakur made up for Mohammed Siraj as the latter was struggling after pulling a hamstring in the last session of Day 1.
Elgar-led side took a 27-run lead in the Johannesburg Test where the hosts have never beaten India. With India’s second innings commencing, all eyes will be on veterans Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane who copped harsh criticism after failing to make a mark in the first innings.
