South Africa vs India, second Test Day 1: Proteas in control after bowling visitors out for 202

KL Rahul played a decent knock as he scored 50 runs and all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin contributed with a gritty 46.

South Africa players celebrate a wicket against India. (Image: Twitter/Cricket South Africa)
By Nilavro Ghosh | Jan 3, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

The Indian batting order, devoid of the talismanic Virat Kohli, failed to deliver a good performance as they were bundled out for just 202 on Day 1 of the second Test in the three-match Test series against South Africa in Johannesburg on Monday. Opening batter and stand-in skipper for the match KL Rahul played a decent knock as he scored 50 runs and all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin contributed with a gritty 46 down the order. Apart from them, nobody in the team really got a big score. For the Proteas, the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Duanne Oliver, and Marco Jansen stole the show as they completely dismantled the visitors’ batting unit. South Africa made 35-1 at the end of the day’s play.

KL RAHUL’S FIGHTING HALF CENTURY

Back spasms caused regular skipper Kohli to sit out the match and KL Rahul was named the stand-in captain. India definitely missed the skill and composure of the veteran Kohli with the bat. Rahul, however, played a decent knock under pressure, scoring an impressive 50. He smashed four boundaries.

Rahul’s opening partner Mayank Agarwal got a good start but could not convert it into a big score. He was dismissed for just 26 runs. Hanuma Vihari, Kohli’s replacement for the game, also good a decent start but was sent back to the pavilion for only 20 runs while Rishabh Pant could only manage 17. It was a disastrous showing by the Indian middle order.

Down the order, Ashwin played a gritty knock under pressure as he scored 46 runs off just 50 deliveries. He smashed six boundaries in his innings. However, the likes of Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane did not have a good day. They were dismissed for 3 and 0 respectively.

Also read – Indian cricket ends glorious 2021 with two fortress breaches of Brisbane and Centurion

Marco Jansen picks four

Marco Jansen was the pick of the bowlers for the Proteas on the day. The left-arm pacer bagged four scalps in 17 overs, five of which maidens. Kagiso Rabada and Duanne Oliver also joined the show as the duo evenly split six wickets between themselves. It was a bowling display that will give South African skipper Dean Elgar a lot of confidence for the match, especially on a pitch like the Wanderers. 

The day ended with the Proteas scoring 35 runs and losing one wicket. Mohammed Shami dismissed the dangerous Aiden Markram for only 7 runs. Skipper Elgar and Keegan Petersen are currently in the middle for the hosts as they remain unbeaten on 11 and 14 respectively. South Africa currently trail India by 167 runs.





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