IND v SA: Shardul Thakur's Triple Strike Sends South African Top Order Packing

The fast bowler runs in, bowls at the off-stump, batter tries to play it, and gets beaten - that's how the first session of day 2 of the 2nd Test went for the Indian bowlers. 

Resuming the day at 35/1, South African batters - Keegan Petersen and Dean Elgar - continued to get beaten against fast Indian bowlers. The first hour of the play saw Elgar and Petersen mostly playing and missing but surviving. 

Once Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah ended their brutal spell, it was relatively easier to breathe for the two batters. Mohammad Siraj, who wasn't 100% fit, came in for a short spell and still beat the bat of Elgar and Petersen but he too was unlucky not to find the edge. 

R Ashwin's overs saw South African finally able to open their blade to score some runs but then came Shardul Thakur - the partnership breaker. In only his second over, Shardul got the South African captain caught behind. 

Four overs later, Shardul got the half-centurion Keegan Petersen for 62 at slips and at the stroke of lunch, removed Rassie Van der Dussen for a just one. 

Where Shami, Bumrah, Siraj bowled perfect bowls that batters were happily playing and missing, Shardul gave justice to India's morning session with three wickets. 

Brief Scorecard: 

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South Africa - 102/4 in 44.4