South Africa v India, 2nd Test Day 1 Review: India Bounce Back Strongly After Proteas Domination in the First Two Sessions

Following a 72 runs victory in the opening Test at the Newlands in Cape Town, hosts South Africa began their campaign in the 2^nd Test on a sensational fashion before India bounced back strongly in the final session to wrest home the advantage from the Proteas. It was South African skipper Faf du Plessis who won the toss and elected to bat first.

Both the openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram began in a positive fashion. Both looked quite settled in the crease and were hardly troubl4d by any of the Indian bowlers. Bhuvneshwar Kumar made way for Ishant Sharma who was a pretty surprising move, to be honest given the fact that Bhuvi was the one who reduced the Proteas to 12/3 in the 1^st Test.

Markram, in particular, was the aggressive partner as he looked in complete command of proceedings and kept churning out singles, doubles and the boundaries on a consistent basis. After sharing an 85 runs partnership, it was Ravichandran Ashwin who dismissed Elgar with a well-flighted delivery. From there on it was again a resolute partnership between Markram and Hashim Amla which kept the scoreboard ticking for the home team.

Markram fell just six runs short of a well deserved century, and it was again Ashwin who spoiled the youngster’s party. Mr 360 AB de Villiers joined Amla at the crease and struck some gorgeous shots before Ishant castled him with a terrific inswinger which breached his defense and disturbed his timbers.

There was a mini-collapse towards the end of the day’s play as South Africa were reduced to 251/6 from 246/3. It was a sensational piece of a fielding effort by Hardik Pandya which was instrumental in sending Amla back to the pavilion. He hurled a terrific throw as Amla were still a couple of inches short of the ground.

Quinton de Kock couldn’t bother the scorers as offie Ashwin induced an edge with a well tossed up delivery. Virat Kohli stationed in the 1^st slip held on to the catch. Vernon Philander was the next man to go as another uncharacteristic lapse in concentration led to his downfall. South Africa eventually finished the day’s play on 269/6 at the end of 90 overs.

Brief Scores

South Africa 269/6 in 90 overs (Aiden Markram 94, Hashim Amla 82, Ravichandran Ashwin 3/90)