IND v SA: South Africa Need 122 Runs, India 8 Wickets To Win 2nd Test

Cricket Image for IND v SA: South Africa Need 122, India 8 Wickets To Win 2nd Test (Image Source: AFP)

Dean Elgar's 46 kept South Africa in command after they bowled out India for 266 and set themselves a target of 240 to chase at Wanderers. 

Resuming the day at 85/2, Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane made full use of the freshly rolled pitch to keep the scoreboard ticking. Pujara reached his fifty in and soon Rahane too reached the landmark. 

The duo added 111 runs from 144 balls before Kagiso Rabada got Rahane out for 58. He soon trapped Pujara in front for 53. With the pitch finally revealing its true signs, the bowling suddenly became harder and harder to play. 

Rishabh Pant tried to play his trademark down the pitch shot against Rabada but got the edge straight to the keeper and departed for an eight-ball-duck. 

R Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari added 17 runs in the five overs, in which 16 were scored by the off-spinner. Ashwin tried to touch the ball that was going down the leg and got a fine edge straight to the keeper. 

Shardul Thakur smacked 28 runs in just 24 balls to stretch the lead above 200. He hit five fours and a six during his innings. Mohammad Shami, too, departed soon for a duck. 

Hanuma Vihari kept one end intact and added 17 runs with Jasprit Bumrah. Things got heated up between Bumrah and Marco Jansen, which resulted in the Indian pacer smashing a six against Kagiso Rabada in the next over. Bumrah got out for seven. 

Vihari then had to score alone as he was joined in with Mohammad Siraj. The duo added 21 runs in the next 23 balls to stretch the lead near 240. Siraj played just two balls during the partnership, including the one on which he got bowled. Vihari remained not out on 40. 

South African openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram came out to survive seven overs before the tea and looked positive during the phase as they added 34 runs without losing a wicket. 

Shardul was brought in after Tea and he straightaway removed Markram after trapping him in front. The wicket brought in Keegan Petersen to the crease. 

Elgar and Keegan continued to find ways to not only survive on a pitch that kept doing a bit of mischief here & there but also score runs wherever available. The duo added 46 runs from 104 balls before R Ashwin trapped Petersen in front. 

Rassie Van der Dussen joined Elgar at the crease and was welcomed by the whole Indian fielders and wicketkeeper Pant. Indians kept creating pressure on the new batter with constant chatter but eventually, Rassie not only survived but helped in adding another 25 runs in 76 balls with Elgar before the stumps were called on day 3. 

South Africa now need 122 runs to win the 2nd test while India need eight wickets with two days remaining. 

Brief Scorecard: 

India - 202/10 & 266/10 
South Africa - 229/10 & 118/2