India’s lead surges to 142 at stumps vs South Africa on Day 2 of 1st Test at Mohali

India ended the second day of the opening Test against South Africa with an overall lead of 142 runs, at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium in Mohali on Friday in the first Test of their ongoing four-match series. After dismissing South Africa for 184, India took a lead of 17 runs and added another 125 runs on the board at the loss of two wickets in their second essay. At stumps, Cheteshwar Pujara was unbeaten on 63 while Virat Kohli walked out just a few minutes before stumps, owing to Murali Vijay’s dismissal. The Indian opener continued to score runs at ease on a pitch where the others struggled, as he followed up his first-innings’ score of 75 with 47, and was unfortunate to have missed out on a half-century. Live Cricket Scorecard: India vs South Africa 015, 1st Test, Day 1 at Mohali here

It will not be exaggerating to say that after a dismal beginning to this Test on the opening day, India found some rhythm in their backyard. Their batsmen were among runs, did not struggle as miserably as they did in the first innings, and their bowlers did what they were expected to. The unbeaten half-century by Pujara — his seventh in Tests — was as important as the five-wicket haul by Ravichandran Ashwin earlier in the day.

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Ashwin was India’s star performer with the ball, he claimed his 13th five-wicket haul in Test cricket and also became one of the fastest bowlers in the history to complete 150 wickets. He was aptly supported by Ravindra Jadeja — who not only claimed three wickets —  but also implied tremendous pressure on the frail South African batting line-up.

South Africa resumed at 28 for two, and Dean Elgar and Hashim Amla provided their side a start on the second day they would have dreamed of. Amla and Elgar batted with lot of caution, kept scoring runs and did not allow the Indians to make early breakthrough. Their 76-run stand for the third wicket was ably supported by India’s poor tactics, as they did not use either of Ashwin or Jadeja for the first half hour.

When Ashwin and Jadeja came into operation, surviving became tough for the South Africans. Elgar played a poor stroke and threw the start, Amla succumbed to the pressure implied on AB de Villiers. The right-handed de Villiers was lucky to have completed his 48th half-century, as he was caught for a duck off Jadeja. The umpires checked for overstepping, and it was ruled that Jadeja had indeed overstepped.

De Villiers hung around for long to complete his half-century, but it was not the usually convincing knocks that we get to see from the right-hander. He was beaten, was even dismissed and was in all sorts of trouble early on. But had it not been his innings of 63 and the sturdy stand for third wicket between Amla and Elgar, South Africa’s situation would have been grimmer at this stage in this contest.

When India came out to bat with a slender lead of 17 runs, Shikhar Dhawan’s poor run continued as he bagged a pair at the venue where he made a scintillating debut two years ago, scoring 187 versus Australia. Dhawan edged one behind off Vernon Philander, who saw off the struggling batsman with a stare and a few words.

But South Africa ran into the robust pair of Vijay and Pujara, who once again provided India a strong partnership. Vijay and Pujara added 86 runs for the second wicket — the highest stand in the game so far — as India’s lead inched closer to 150-run mark. Vijay and Pujara batted cautiously and did not give South Africa any chance to make any breakthrough.

It was due to the brilliance of Temba Bavuma — on the field in place of Dale Steyn (out due to a groin strain) — in the 34th over that South Africa were able to make a breakthrough. Vijay came in front and tried blocking one, but the ball bounced off his gloves. Bavuma, fielding at short leg, extended his left hand to take a sharp one-handed grab. At stumps, India captain Kohli and Pujara were at the crease with a brisk stand of 30 runs, which helped India take their lead close to the 150-run mark.

Brief scores:

India 201 (Murali Vijay 75; Dean Elgar 4 for 22) & 125 for 2 (Murali Vijay 47, Cheteshwar Pujara 63*; Vernon Philander 1 for 12) lead South Africa 184 (Dean Elgar 37, Hashim Amla 43, Ab de Villiers 63; Ravichandran Ashwin 5 for 51, Ravindra Jadeja 3 for 55, Amit Mishra 2 for 35) by 142  runs.

Full Cricket Scorecard: India vs South Africa 015, 1st Test at Mohali

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