Shardul Thakur may have developed a reputation for his brilliant batting in Australia and England, but it is his bowling that is his strength. He has been selected as the designated all-rounder in India’s eleven, but with the bat, he has yet to dazzle. Although, on the second day of the ongoing second Test between India and South Africa in Johannesburg, Thakur dazzled, but what he is more known for – with the pace he bowled to help his team bounce back in the format Took five wickets for the first time.
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At tea break, South Africa were 191/7, trailing India by 11 runs.
Like in the morning session, South Africa resumed their innings after the lunch break on a solid note, with veteran Temba Bavuma (51) sharing a 60-run fifth wicket partnership with Greenhorn Kyle Verne (21) .
Bavuma was his best as ever, driving and punching with confidence to score another half-century, while Vereen also showed good application in test conditions.
With the pair settled, Shardul produced one of his magical deliveries, bearing Vereen’s name on it, which was declared LBW. He reviewed the call but ball-tracking said it could have hit the stumps.
Like in the morning session, it was Shardul who provided the breakthrough. Just after Bavuma reached a half-century, he shuffled and Shardul pitched it short and leg-side with the batsman hoping to see it right, but wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant completed an impressive catch by moving to his left.
Kagiso Rabada then hit a boundary off Mohammed Siraj for a six-ball duck, making Mohammed Shami the second victim of the innings.
Brief scores: South Africa 191/7 (Keegan Pietersen 62, Temba Bavuma 51; Shardul Thakur 5/43) trail India 202-all out 11 runs at tea
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