Young batsman Keegan Pietersen scored his maiden Test fifty but Sharul Thakur’s triple strike dealt a blow to South Africa at the end of the first session on the second day of the ongoing second Test in Johannesburg. At lunch, the hosts posted a score of 102/4 and were trailing India by 100 runs. Temba Bavuma was at the crease and is yet to open his account.
Dean Elgar and Keegan Pietersen put up a strong performance of batsmen overnight at the start of the second day of the Johannesburg Test. Opening the innings at 35 for 1, the duo disappointed the Indian bowlers for the first hour of the morning session. The likes of Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj poured their hearts out but none of their moves worked to end the pair.
Elgar and Pietersen added 53 runs to their overnight score, putting on a 74-run stand for the second wicket before Shardul Thakur provided the much-needed breakthrough. The all-rounder bowled past a length delivery and the South Africa captain, who was batting on 28, passed it to Rishabh Pant.
india vs south africa, 2nd test, day 2, live cricket scores
In the very next over, Keegan Pietersen strengthened South Africa with a hat-trick of boundaries against Mohammed Shami and scored his first half-century in style. His scintillating innings put South Africa in the driver’s seat, but a few minutes before the lunch break, Thakur dealt a blow to the hosts.
Shardul bowls a length delivery which is just off the off stump. Pietersen threw his bat at him, only to get a rough outer edge that landed safely in the hands of Mayank Agarwal at second slip. Two quick wickets before lunch left the hosts at the crease with two new batsmen – Rasi van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma.
The new pair of South African batsmen looked to stabilize the innings after a few early losses but Thakur had other plans. He took Van de Dussen (1) in front at lunchtime as India managed to take three wickets in the morning session, making a strong comeback.
get all IPL news and cricket score Here
,