Du Plessis stresses on piling pressure on Indian team

Cape Town, Jan 8 - After handing India a 72-run defeat in the opening Test at Newlands, South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis on Monday focussed on the importance of putting pressure on the opposition in a brief three-match rubber.

"Even in the second innings, from 90/7, AB played a great knock, he took some risks. The plan was to get 200 runs, to get a lead of 350 and to have a crack at them tonight," he added. 

South Africa could add only 65 runs to their second innings total before being bundled out for 130 on a fourth day pitch, which the skipper felt behaved more like an opening day's track.

The entire third day's play was washed out on Sunday without a ball being bowled.

"But we were surprised how much it was doing this morning. When we came in today, the pitch was green again, almost like the day 1 pitch. It was tough, they bowled really well.

"I think it was a fantastic cricket wicket. There was a good challenge between bat and ball. If we had four seamers here today, Dale (Steyn) would have been a handful. 

"Thoughts with him. Feel sorry for the guy. He's trained so hard and he's injured again," he added.

Both the teams will now face off in the second Test, starting January 13 at SuperSport Park in Centurion

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IANS