India v South Africa 1st Test day 2 review: India pockets day 2 honours

India v South Africa 1st Test day 2 review: India pockets day 2 honours: Few nicks here and there were visible, as South African batsmen rallied around the Indian bowlers in the first hours of play. Ashwin, who returned from an injury turned the session in India’s favour as Hashim Amla went back to the pavilion to give India an upper hand.  Ashwin earlier, picked up impressive Elgar’s wicket, as Ravindra Jadeja displayed his safe hands.

He then went on to scalp wicket keeper Vilas’ wicket, thanks to a brilliant catch by Jadeja.

South Africa sensed trouble, as lunch was called.

The 6^th wicket partnership of 29 runs between AB de Villiers and Vernon Philander did encourage a South African fightback, but Jadeja soon dismissed Philander for 3, as visitors were 6 down for 136.

AB de Villiers didn’t seem to be in his usual self, as he was called back once, thanks to a no-ball, while the umpire ruled out the nick on the other occasion.

He plundered 6 boundaries and stood at the other end, watching the likes of Harmer and Steyn go back to the dressing room.

Amit Mishra soon delivered the ball of the day to send back struggling AB de Villiers to the dressing room. The visitors were 9 wicket down at that stage with 22 more runs to level the score. Mishra bowled a tad faster from his usual ones, while AB de Villiers failed to read the turn, as the ball ended up hitting the off stump.

Soon, Ravichandran Ashwin wrapped up the proceedings by notching up Imran Tahir’s wicket.

South Africa were bowled out for 184, as India took a slender lead of 17 runs.

Ashwin picked up his 13^th 5 wicket haul, while Amit Mishra settled for 2 wickets. Ravindra Jadeja also scalped 3 wickets on his return, as the spinners grabbed the headlines, taking all 10 wickets.

India came out to bat with a thin lead, but South Africa had the first laugh, as Vernon Philander wrapped up Shikhar Dhawan’s short stay at the pitch. Shikhar Dhawan failed to trouble the statsmen, as he was undone by Philander on both occasions.

Murali Vijay continued his fine form, as he picked up 6 stroke-filled boundaries, before getting out to Imran Tahir. It was more of a fielder’s wicket, as an impressive Bavuma, who came in as a substitute in place of Steyn, grabbed a half chance; standing close to the batter.

Murali Vijay was back after scoring a gritty 47 from 105 balls. The India captain, then joined a settled Cheteshwar Pujara in the middle. Having missed out in the first innings, Virat Kohli stuck to his basics, while few balls hurried onto his body.

India reached the three-figure mark in the 36^th over, as Cheteshwar Pujara soon reached his half-century.

Pujara batted in a positive manner, and stroked 6 boundaries on his way to the fifty.

Virat Kohli on the other hand, spent some time at the crease, picking up the singles at ease.

Imran Tahir and Philander picked one wicket each, as India won the final session. Pujara gave a fitting end to the days play by smashing Imran Tahir for a six in the final over of the day’s play.

India sits pretty at 125-2 in 40 overs, as Virat Kohli was not out on 11, while Cheteshwar Pujara remains unbeaten on 63.

Brief Score

India 201 & 125/2 ( Pujara 63*, Vijay 47, Philander 1-17)

South Africa 184 ( AB de Villiers 63, Amla 43, Ashwin 5-51)

India lead by 142 runs with 8 wickets remaining.