India vs South Africa Highlights, 1st Test Day 2: India took control of a low-scoring, spin-dominated first Test after Ravindra Jadeja’s brilliant 4-29 left South Africa floundering at 93-7 at stumps on day two. Fifteen wickets fell on a pitch with fast turn and unpredictable bounce. Despite South Africa leading the total by 63 runs, India’s bowlers dismantled the visitors’ second innings after the hosts were bowled out for 189.
India started with a lead of 30 runs, largely thanks to Jasprit Bumrah’s 5-27 in South Africa’s first innings. But their own batting faltered, with Simon Harmer (4-30) and Marco Jansen (3-35) taking regular wickets. Lokesh Rahul (39), Washington Sundar (29) and Rishabh Pant (27) put up brief resistance, while captain Shubman Gill retired hurt due to neck cramps and did not return.
Jadeja contributed 27 runs and completed 4,000 Test runs and joined the all-rounder club with 300 wickets, 4,000 runs. South Africa’s second innings collapsed quickly in front of Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav.
Kuldeep trapped Ryan Rickelton before tea, and Jadeja removed Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Tony De Zorzi and Tristan Stubbs in a post-tea blast. Patel bowled Kyle Verreynne, while Yadav dismissed Marco Johnson. Only captain Temba Bavuma (29 off 78 balls) remained as the game ended early due to bad light.
Since South Africa are yet to set a defendable target on the dangerous surface, India will hope to restrict the visitors to less than 125, a total that Axar Patel believes is achievable. The Proteas have not won a Test in India since 2009, and with the hosts now on firm footing, the third day could decide the match.
The series continues with the second Test in Guwahati from November 22. India XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar, Shubman Gill (c), Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj South Africa XI: Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony De Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verrey (wk), Marco Jensen, Corbin Bosch, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj.