The Indian fast bowlers came to the fore on another day of outstanding five-day cricket in the first Test match at the Wanderers, with Vernon Philander saving South Africa's blushes with the bat, not too long after doing most of the damage with the red ball.
Where to Watch Live
The second day of the first Test match is scheduled for a 2 pm IST start with live coverage on Ten Cricket and Ten Sports (in Hindi). You can also catch the action via free live streaming HERE. Viewers in the U.S. can watch the match live online HERE. South Africa viewers can live stream the match HERE. To watch the match in the U.K. click HERE.
South Africa are on 213 for six in reply to India's first innings total of 280 all out, with Philander (48) and Faf Du Plessis (17) putting on a crucial unbeaten partnership of 67.
The Proteas were 146 for six at one point with India, led by Ishant Sharma, picking up five quickfire wickets for just 16 runs, before Philander and Du Plessis began their repair job to pull SA to within 67 runs of the visitors' total.
Earlier, India's batting sojourn ended quite quickly as South Africa ended the sixth-wicket partnership between MS Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane a little after half-an-hour into Day 2, before smashing the tail with great disregard.
India could only add 25 runs to their overnight total of 255 for five, leaving SA with the upper hand going into the second session of Day 2.
That session was all about South Africa, as Graeme Smith and Hashim Amla, after Robin Petersen was dismissed fairly early by Ishant, put on a 93-run partnership, which seemed to be taking the game away from India, before the Indian pacers struck.
First, Ishant picked up two wickets on the bounce, sending Hashim Amla's stumps cart wheeling, before trapping Jacques Kallis in front of the wicket for a golden duck.
Zaheer Khan then got into the act, taking the wicket of, who else, but Graeme Smith, before Mohammed Shami struck twice in one over, dismissing JP Duminy and the incredibly dangerous AB De Villiers.
India will not target the final four wickets quickly before, hopefully, the batsman will go about their job of setting a big target for South Africa in the second innings.
One thing is for sure, Day 3 is set to be as intriguing and fascinating as the first two days.
