Kolkata: Team India were in the driver’s seat after 15 wickets tumbled on the second day of the first Test against South Africa at Kolkata on Saturday.
Having conceded a lead of 30 runs, South Africa slipped to 93/7 in the second innings on a spinner-friendly Eden Gardens pitch. Ravindra Jadeja bagged 4/29 and Kuldeep Yadav 2/12 as the world champions failed to tackle the turn and occasional bounce.
With three days play remaining, South Africa lead by 63 runs and have three wickets in hand. Skipper Temba Bavuma was the lone man standing, remaining unbeaten on 29 at stumps
India resumed Day 2 on 37/1, replying to South Africa’s first-innings tally of 159, and progressed sedately to 75 before Washington Sundar (29) was caught at slip off Simon Harmer.
Skipper Shubman Gill slog-swept the third ball he faced for a boundary, but was in discomfort after completing the shot. As the physio walked out to check out what was wrong, Gill walked off the field rubbing his neck.
He didn’t come out to bat later in the innings, neither did he take the field when South Africa batted, with Rishabh Pant taking on the mantle of captaincy.
Opener KL Rahul top-scored with a fighting 39 (119 balls), while Pant made a counter-attacking 27 off 24 deliveries with 2 fours and 2 sixes. India lost their last 5 wickets for the addition of just 18 runs and were dismissed for a disappointing 189.
The spinners wrested back the initiative for Team India, who would be pressing for the kill on Sunday morning.
BRIEF SCORES
South Africa first innings: 159 (Aiden Markram 31; Jasprit Bumrah 5/27, Kuldeep Yadav 2/36, Ms Siraj 2/47).
India first innings: 189 (KL Rahul 39, Washington Sundar 29; Simon Harmer 4/30, Marco Jansen 3/35).
South Africa second innings: 93/7 (Temba Bavuma 29 batting; Ravindra Jadeja 4/29, Kuldeep Yadav 2/12).
Match to continue on Day 3.
