Cape Town, (UNI): India lost openers before reaching 57/2 at stumps on Day 2 of the third and series-deciding Test against South Africa here at Newlands on Wednesday. The visitors lead by 70 runs.
Mayank Agarwal, who was on three, survived a leg-before call thanks to a review. Kagiso Rabada appealed to which the on-field umpire signalled out. But the India opener went upstairs which confirmed that the ball had missed the stumps.
However, Rabada finally got Agarwal as the opener was taken at first slip for seven. Soon, Marco Jansen sent KL Rahul back to the pavilion. Rahul was caught at the second slip for 10 and India were reduced to 24/2.
Captain Virat Kohli (14 not out) and Cheteshwar Pujara (9 not out) found themselves in a tricky period, with just half an hour left for stumps. The duo slowly build the innings and finished off the day with no further loss.
Earlier, Jasprit Bumrah bagged five-fer as South Africa were bowled out for 210 inside the final session.
Keegan Petersen (72) top scored for his side. He displayed great composure, skill and technique against the Indian attack.
The batter powered South Africa to 179/8 before Bumrah removed him. On a length ball, Petersen looked to defend but got an outside edge and Pujara caught him at first slip. The South African tailenders added crucial 31 runs, thanks to Rabada (15) and Duanne Olivier (10 not out).
In the second session, Petersen and Rassie van der Dussen carried their momentum built before lunch. Umesh Yadav appealed for leg-before but the on-field umpire turned him down. Nevertheless, captain Kohli decided to go upstairs. India lost their another review as the ball missed the stumps.
Petersen and Van der Dussen kept on taking Indian bowlers, with Umesh conceding 10 runs in an over. Soon, Umesh took his revenge as he removed Van der Dussen (21), who was caught at second slip.
The departure of Van der Dussen didn’t deter Petersen’s focus as the South African brought up his fifty off 101 balls. With Petersen and Temba Bavuma in the middle, the hosts reached the 150-run mark.
Mohammed Shami rattled the middle order as he bagged two wickets in an over, dismissing Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne. Bavuma got an outside edge and Kohli completed a brilliant catch at the second slip. Kohli went low to his left to complete the catch with both hands.
Meanwhile, Verreynne got caught behind without disturbing the scoreboard. At the stroke of tea, Bumrah removed Marco Jansen for seven, which marked his third wicket of the day. Earlier, South Africa had reached 100 for the loss of three wickets at lunch.
Bumrah snared Aiden Markram with a peach at the start of first session, reducing South Africa to 17/2. The ball nipped back a long way and it took Markram’s off-stump. It was the South African’s misjudgment which gave India a dream start.
Bumrah seemed fully charged up as he left Keshav Maharaj clueless. The ball came a long way but it not only missed Maharaj’s off stump, also beat diving wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant.
India created another opportunity but KL Rahul put down Petersen, who was on four, at the third slip. It was a difficult one off Shami.
South Africa continued to fightback, with Maharaj displaying his free-flowing cover drive. However, soon Umesh, who is playing his first Test match in the series, got the breakthrough.
The fast bowler castled Maharaj for 25, ending the South African’s resistance. Maharaj tried to play outside the line but the ball nipped back in and flattened his middle stump.
Shardul Thakur thought he had got Petersen and appealed for leg-before. When the on-field umpired turned him down, Thakur convinced his captain Kohli to review it. The ball tracking showed it went over the stumps and India lost their review.
