CAPE TOWN: At the stumps of day two of the third Test, Indian batters Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli anchored the second innings after Jasprit Bumrah’s five-fer assisted the touring side bowling out South Africa for 210 in the first innings.
Kohli and Pujara anchored the innings with an unbeaten 33-runs partnership before the men in blue lost both their openers at a combined score of 24. Mayank Agarwal scored seven, while KL Rahul managed to score 10.
The duo of Kohli and Pujara will now resume the innings for India at 57/2 on the third day of the ongoing Test. Kohli scored an unbeaten 14, while Pujara scored 9* at the stumps.
At the commencement of the second day, South Africa resumed the proceedings at 17/1. The side, however, had the worst possible start; losing the opener Aiden Markram without adding a run on the second day’s play. He scored eight off 22 balls before falling short to Bumrah’s brilliant delivery; knocking the off-stump.
The nightwatchman for the Proteas – Keshav Maharaj, too, soon dismissed after scoring 25 as Shardul Thakur uprooted the middle stump; resulting in the home side slipping from 17/1 to 45/3.
Keegan Petersen and Rassie van der Dussen then anchored the innings with a valiant 67-runs partnership. The duo appeared immovable before Umesh Yadav sent van der Dussen back to the pavilion for his individual score of 21.
Bavuma, too, put on a brief partnership with Petersen, the duo added a 47-runs partnership before the 31-years-old walked back to the pavilion after scoring 28. Bavuma faced 52 balls and smashed four boundaries.
Following his departure, the home side began to lose wickets at an alarming rate, but, Petersen stood firm and kept the scoreboard ticking single-handedly. Petersen scored an astonishing 72 before falling short to Bumrah’s brilliant outswinger; handing an easy catch to Pujara in the slip cordon.
With Petersen’ dismissal, the home side soon bundled out for 210 in the first innings; handing a 13-runs lead to the men in blue.
For India, Bumrah starred; taking a five-fer, while Yadav and Mohammed Shami bagged two wickets each. Thakur, on the other hand, made one scalp. -Agencies
