In the first day of the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, South Africa piled up 247 for six in reply to India’s decision to bowl first. The hosts produced a spirited effort late in the session, picking up four wickets after tea to stay in touch.
Toss winner and South African captain Temba Bavuma chose to bat, and his side got off to a solid start. Openers Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton put together an 82-run stand, giving the visitors early momentum as Markram made 38 and Rickelton chipped in with 35.
They were followed by 84 for the third wicket between Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs, 49, which further solidified South Africa’s position. But India managed to claw back. Spinner Kuldeep Yadav picked three wickets—Rickelton, Stubbs and another key scalp—to give the hosts a lifeline as the day ended.
Late in the session, Ravindra Jadeja struck to remove Bavuma for 41. Pacer Mohammed Siraj also chipped in, accounting for the sixth wicket in the closing overs. South Africa ended at 247–6 in 81.5 overs.
With Shubman Gill injured and ruled out for this Test, stand-in captain Rishabh Pant leads an Indian batting lineup that now has an onerous task of trying to keep the match in balance. Reports confirm Gill has been ruled out of this Test due to a neck injury and Pant is leading the side.
The pitch has been variable in bounce and some assistance for bowlers at times, and that could make batting challenging during periods. With the conditions and late session burst by India, this could be one seriously contested Test.
