Johannesburg: Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane, once in a strong position, lost four wickets in 29 runs as India were six wickets in their second innings till lunch here on the third day of the second Test against South Africa on Wednesday. Scored 188 runs.
Kagiso Rabada (3 for 54) brought South Africa back in the last 45 minutes of the first session. Duane Olivier (1 for 43) and Lungi Ngidi (1 for 34) also bowled well.
India’s total lead is now 161 runs. South Africa will now try to restrict India to less than 200 runs as a target of more than 200 runs on this pitch will be difficult to achieve. India had scored 202 runs in their first innings, in response to which South Africa scored 229 runs to take a 27-run lead.
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Pujara (53 off 86 balls) and Rahane (58 off 78 balls), who were under attack for poor form, scored half-centuries and shared a 111-run stand for the third wicket in 23.2 overs.
Both these batsmen knew that it would be difficult for them to find a place in the team going forward and hence they focused more on scoring runs. He drove the balls on the half-volley and brought them to the boundary line. Meanwhile, Rahane also hit a six over the point off Marco Jensen. Pujara’s 62-ball half-century while Rahane’s 67-ball half-century shows that he prioritized scoring runs. Pujara hit 10 fours while Rahane hit eight fours and a six.
India’s score was 155 for two at one point and they looked in good condition, but after this Rabada got his team back with a fine spell. Rabada got Rahane caught by wicketkeeper Kyle Wren and Pujara was dismissed leg before.
After that, he did not even allow Rishabh Pant to open the account, who caught the wicketkeeper by adopting an irresponsible attitude of playing the short pitch ball at half volley. Ravichandran Ashwin made 16 off 14 balls before being caught behind the wicket by Ngidi. At lunch, Hanuma Vihari was playing for six and Shardul Thakur for four. (agency)