SA vs Ind, 3rd Test Day 2: KL Rahul, Murali Vijay take India to 49-1 at stumps

Johannesburg: India finished day two of the third Test against South Africa here on Thursday, falling just one short of the team’s 50-run mark, as Murali Vijay and KL Rahul took them to 49-1. The visitors now lead by 42 runs.

After bowling out South Africa for 194 in the first innings, the visitors sprung a surprise in their batting lineup by promoting Parthiv Patel to the opening slot, along with Vijay.

However, that strategy did not work as Vernon Philander took the lone wicket of India’s second innings, removing Parthiv early, courtesy a diving effort by Aiden Markram.

The morning session on Friday will be an important one for the visitors as they will look to avoid another collapse in batting, which has affected them throughout the series.

India 17-1 from 5 overs

WICKET! Vernon Philander strikes as he removes Parthiv Patel. Parthiv's promotion to theopening slot does not work, as he manages just 16 runs. A fantastic diving catch by Aiden Markram to dismiss the batsman.

South Africa 1st innings

South Africa were bowled out for 194 in their first innings on Day 2 of the third Test against India here on Thursday, giving themselves a seven-run lead.

Jasprit Bumrah was the star of the Indian bowling, finishing with a spell of 5-54.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar took three wickets, whereas Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami took one wicket each.

Hashim Amla was South Africa’s top-scorer, finishing with 61 runs. Meanwhile, Vernon Philander also scored valuable runs, finishing his innings at 35.

South Africa 175-8 from 62.2 overs

WICKET! Vernon Philander has departed for 35, as the hosts lose their eighth wicket.

South Africa 169-7 from 59.5 overs

WICKET! Jasprit Bumrah has removed Hasim Amla, who was looking in form.

Tea break report

South Africa lost some crucial wickets as they struggled their way to 143-6 at tea break on Day two of the third Test against India on Thursday.

Soon after losing AB de Villiers, Jasprit Bumrah took the crucial wicket of captain Faf du Plessis, as South Africa were six down.

However, Hashim Amla took the hosts back to safety with a welll-played half-century.

Currently, it is Hashim Amla and Vernon Philander who are batting on 54 and 13 respectectively.

South Africa 108-5 after 42 overs:

WICKET! Bumrah gets his first wicket as Faf du Plessis is bowled. The pacer bowls outside off and the ball swings in sharply. The Proteas skipper leaves the ball and sees it brush off the pad before rattling the off stump.

South Africa 93-4 after 37 overs:

WICKET! India get the big fish courtesy of a beauty by Bhuvneshwar. AB de Villiers goes for an on-drive but Bhuvi's inswinger takes him by surprise. The ball makes way through the gates before castling his off-stump.

South Africa 80-3 from 30 overs:

WICKET! Edge and taken by Ajinkya Rahane at gully! Ishant Sharma has ended Kagiso Rabada's vigil. He departs after scoring 30, South Africa 3 down.

South Africa 16-2 from 12.3 overs:

WICKET! Bhuvneshwar Kumar does it again, as he successfully sees off Dean Elgar, who is caught behind by wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel.

Preview:

India will look to get more wickets on Thursday when they face South Africa on Day two of the third Test here at the Wanderers Stadium.

India struggled to finish their innings at 187 on Wednesday, with half-centuries by Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara being the only takeaways for them.

In reply, Bhuvneshwar Kumar came back strongly, taking the wicket of opener Aiden Markram. India were back in control after that, restricting the hosts to six for one at stumps on the first day.

The onus will be on the pacers Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami to get more wickets, in order to restrict the Proteas to a low total.

Earlier in the day, the South African pacers had contributed together to bowl out the visitors to a low total.

India will hope to avoid giving the hosts a whitewash and will look to sign off the Test series with a consolation win.