Match Hangs In Balance: India Take 58-Run Lead, South Africa Pick 2 Wickets

IND v SA: The 2nd Test is quickly developing into a close game with both teams having an equal chance after just two days at the Wanderers. 

The fast bowler runs in, bowls at the off-stump, batter tries to play it, and gets beaten - that's how Indian bowlers began the morning session. 

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, ending the 74-run stand. 

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. 

Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne began to rebuild the innings and added 60 runs in 122 balls for the fifth wicket. Bavuma, in particular, looked solid as he scored 51 runs in just 60 balls with the help of six fours and a six. 

Debutant Verreynne scored 21 before he became the fourth victim of Shardul, who trapped him in front. Soon, Bavuma, just after reaching his fifty, edged one to the keeper trying to play the ball towards fine leg. Mohammad Shami got Kagiso Rabada out for a duck as South Africa lost seventh for 179 runs. 

Shardul wrapped up the South African innings and ended up taking seven wickets - the first Indian to take a 7-fer in SENA in eight years and also the first Asian seamers to take a seven-wicket haul in South Africa. 

With the pitch becoming more and more difficult to bat on, South Africa got KL Rahul early for 11 runs. Five overs later, Mayank Agarwal, who hit five boundaries for his 23, was trapped in front by Duanne Olivier. 

It was the perfect opportunity for senior batters Ajinkya Rahane and Cheteshwar Pujara to show their experience and that's exactly what they did in a tricky position. Pujara attacked while Rahane anchored. 

Pujara made sure he hit any ball which was even slightly in his range while Rahane was in his classical touch. The duo not only prevented an Indian collapse but scored 41 runs in 52 balls to stretch the lead past 50 runs. 

Both Pujara and Rahane will come out to bat tomorrow with a lead of 58 runs on the board. 

Brief Scorecard: 

Also Read: Ashes 2021-22 - England vs Australia Schedule and Squads

India - 202/10 & 85/2 
South Africa - 229/10