Highlights of India Vs. South Africa 1st Test Day 2: India took control of a low-scoring, spin-dominated first Test after Ravindra Jadeja’s superb 4-29 left South Africa reeling at 93-7 at stumps on Day 2. Fifteen goals were scored on a pitch offering sharp turn and unpredictable bounce. Despite South Africa leading by 63 runs, the Indian bowlers dismantled the visitors’ second innings after the hosts themselves were bowled out for 189 during the day.
India started with a 30-run lead, largely thanks to Jasprit Bumrah’s 5-27 in South Africa’s first innings. But their own batting faltered, with Simon Harmer (4-30) and Marco Jansen (3-35) making regular inroads. Lokesh Rahul (39), Washington Sundar (29) and Rishabh Pant (27) put up a brief resistance while skipper Shubman Gill left injured with a neck spasm and did not return. Jadeja contributed 27 and passed 4,000 Test runs, joining the elite club of all-rounders for 300 wickets and 4,000 runs.
South Africa’s second innings fell apart quickly against Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav. Kuldeep trapped Ryan Rickelton before tea and Jadeja’s burst after tea removed Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Tony de Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs. Patel bowled Kyle Verreynne while Yadav dismissed Marc Jansen. Only captain Temba Bavuma (29* off 78) held firm as poor light ended the game prematurely.
With South Africa yet to build a defensible target on the treacherous surface, India will be hoping to restrict the visitors to under 125, which Axar Patel says is quite chaseable. The Proteas have not won a Test in India since 2009 and with the momentum now firmly with the hosts, Day 3 could decide the match. The series continues with the second Test in Guwahati on November 22.
India XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj
South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj
