India vs South Africa Match Live ScoreIndia vs South Africa 2nd Test Live Score: India set South Africa a tricky 240-run target to win the second Test after being bowled out for 266 in their second innings on the third day of the match here on Wednesday. Resuming at 85 for two, India called the shots with Cheteshwar Pujara (53) and Ajinkya Rahane (58) striking half-centuries.
Once they were dismissed by Kagiso Rabada, the Indian innings seemed to have lost momentum with Rishabh Pant falling without opening his account. However, Hanuma Vihari (40 not out) and Shardul Thakur (28) defied the Proteas attack to swell India’s overall lead. Pacers Rabada (3/73), Lungi Ngidi (3/43) and Marco Jansen (3/67) shared nine wickets between them. If India manage to defend the total, they will seal their maiden Test series triumph in South Africa.
India Playing XI: KL Rahul (c), Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (w), Ravichandran Ashwin, Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj
South Africa Playing XI: Dean Elgar (c), Aiden Markram, Keegan Petersen, Rassie van der Dussen, Temba Bavuma, Kyle Verreynne (w), Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Duanne Olivier and Lungi Ngidi
South Africa's batsman Temba Bavuma, front, reacts after being dismissed India's bowler Shardul Thakur, during the second day of the 2nd Test Cricket match between South Africa and India at the Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
The Proteas end Day 3 of the 2nd Test requiring a further 122 runs for victory with 8 wickets in hand. So it is an advantage for South Africa as they go back with just two wickets down. Tall ask for the Indian bowlers tomorrow.SA: 118/2 after 40 overs
“Ash bhai over the stumps se bech mein daal do maaza ah jayega” -- you got to admit no matter what the chatter is off the field, Pant is always on song behind the wickets.
Ashwin bowls to Elgar who puts its past the extra cover region and gets 3 runs but in the process, Mayank, who dived to save a boundary has injured himself. He's walking gingerly off the field. Unfortunate for Mayank Aggarwal; hope not so serious. SA: 111/2 after 36 overs
Another 8 to 9 overs are likely today. Proteas will be happy going into the dressing room with 8 wickets in hand. India would want 1 more stick before the end of the day. Dean Elgar has kept it together, looking solid. Meanwhile, Ashwin continues to keep the run rate in check. SA: 106/2 in 34 overs
R Ashwin became the first Indian spin bowler since Anil Kumble to pick up a wicket at the Wanderers. This is also the first wicket for a spinner in this test match. SA: 93/2 in 28 Overs
Huge wicket or India. R Ashwin breaks the dangerous-looking partnership. Petersen departs for 28. The ball turned and crashes onto Petersen's pads. Loud appeal from the Indians for leg before and the umpire is convinced. South Africa need 147 runs to win. SA: 93/2 in 27.2 Overs
Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane are no strangers to hard times. Pujara has fought injuries, indifferent form, insecurities, question marks on intent and fitness and what not in his decade-long international career. Rahane has braved perception battles, an eternity on the waiting list for his Test debut and numerous instances of fickle form. At times, they have been together in the battle too, perhaps bound by the old-fashioned tenets of their batting, or just that they happen to be, for much of their career, the only Test specialist batsmen in the team. Read More
Has Rishabh Pant ever been successful with his down-the-track heaves to pacers in Tests? He has tried that shot many times in the past – in Australia, in England, in India – but has hardly connected. Usually, he misses. This time, he got the edge and shoved India into danger territory.
If not for a spellbinding cameo from Shardul ‘Greenidge’ Thakur (he plays one-leg-up cuts like the former West Indian opener), and an outstanding performance from Hanuma Vihari, Pant’s shot could have cost India the game then and there. Read More
What a gutsy fightback this has been by South Africa. Keegan Petersen oozes class as he started off with a couple of imperious fours driving off Bumrah, while Elgar is rock solid like always. Petersen and Elgar are up to the task as they build a steady partnership to put the pressure back on India. It will be a huge win for this inexperienced South African team, which is ravaged by controversies in the recent past. SA: 88/1 in 24 overs
R Ashwin into the attack as India is looking for another breakthrough. Dean Elgar (31*) and Keegan Petersen (19*) have put on 35 runs for the second wicket. South Africa need 158 runs to win the Test match. SA: 82/1 in 22 Overs
Mohammed Siraj is into the attack for the first time. He has pulled up his hamstring in the first innings. South Africa need 163 runs to win the Test match. SA: 75/1 in 19.5 Overs
Dean Elgar (20*) and Keegan Petersen (9*) are looking rock solid after the fall of Aiden Markram wicket. South Africa need 179 runs to win the Test match. SA: 61/1 in 16 Overs
It's that man again. Shardul Thakur strikes for India. Markram is absolutely plumb. Brilliant from Thakur, he provided the much-needed breakthrough for India. Markram gone for 31. South Africa need 193 runs to win. SA: 47/1 in 10 Overs
Shardul Thakur will start off with the ball for Team India in the final session of the day. Shardul (7/61) was a wrecker-in-chief in the first innings, best bowling figure by an Indian pacer in South Africa. Proteas need 240 runs to win the Test match. SA: 38/0 in 7.5 Overs
An intriguing battle between South Africa openers and Indian new ball bowlers. Elgar and Markram are off to a positive start in the 240 runs chase. South Africa need 206 runs to win the match and level the three-match Test series. SA: 34/0 in 7 Overs
Definitely short of the day by Aiden Markram. He leans into the drive, gets into a good position, and drives this elegantly past covers for a boundary. South Africa need 211 runs to win the match.SA: 29/0 in 6 Overs
It has been a cautious start by the South African openers. Dean Elgar didn't have much strike, while Markram is looking solid and had already hit three boundaries. South Africa need 224 runs to win the Test and level the series. SA: 16/0 in 3 Overs
The second session of the 2nd Test between India and South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg witnessed a tense moment on the field when Jasprit Bumrah and Marco Jansen exchanged heated words in a mid-pitch confrontation. Read
Since 2018, South Africa have never chased a target of above 200 in Tests! South Africa need 240 runs to win the test match and draw the series. South Africa 0/0