Pacer Jasprit Bumrah scalped his maiden five-wicket haul in Tests to restrict South Africa to 194 in their first innings, while openers Murali Vijay, Parthiv Patel and KL Rahul steadied India to 49 for 1 on Day 2 of the third Test here at the New Wanderers Stadium on Thursday.
South Africa began the second day at 6 for 1. Aiden Markram was the first batsman to fall, with pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar providing the breakthrough.
Kagiso Rabada was promoted up to the order and survived a testing moment as Indian pacers, aided by swing and bounce on the pitch looked menacing.
He then shared a vital 64-run partnership with batsman Hashim Amla. The stand was finally broken by pacer Ishant Sharma.
The hosts then lost their way as AB De Villiers, Quinton De Kock and skipper Faf Du Plessis fell in quick succession, as South Africa slid from 80 for 2 to 125 for 6.
Amla and all-rounder Vernon Philander then took ground and forged a fighting partnership of 44 runs for the seventh wicket stand before both of them fell soon after.
The lower-order batsmen had no answer to Bumrah's smart bowling and South Africa, were all out for 194, having taken a lead of just 7 runs.
Amla top scored for the side with 61, followed by Philander's 35 and 30 runs from Rabada.
For the Indian bowlers, Bumrah's figures were 5 for 54, followed by Bhuvneshwar's 3 for 44. Ishant and Mohammad Shami took a wicket each.
The Indian openers, Vijay and Patel started cautiously.
Patel played aggressively and helped India to wipe off the small lead soon. However, he departed for 16 after he edged to third slip to give Philander his first wicket.
Rahul and Vijay survived testing moments from the South African leaders and ensured that there was no hiccup soon after. Both guided India to 49 for 1 before stumps were called.
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