NEW DELHI: Indian young pace bowler Harshit Rana unveiled a dream over to kick off India’s second innings against South Africa in Ranchi, putting the visitors under immediate pressure while chasing a mammoth total.

In just the second over of the innings, both of South Africa’s promising batters, Ryan Rickelton and Quinten de Kock, were sent back for ducks, setting the tone for India’s attack.

Rana started the over by targeting Rickelton with precision. A perfectly pitched nip-backer angled back in, finding the gap between bat and pad, and middle-stump was uprooted as Rickelton attempted a defensive shot down the wrong line. Harshit Rana pumped his fist in celebration, charging towards his teammates as the stadium erupted in delight.

On the very next delivery, Quinten de Kock tried to assert himself but fell into the same trap. A fullish delivery outside off, shaping away, saw de Kock edge it straight into the hands of wicketkeeper KL Rahul. Two wickets in one over, both ducks, and South Africa were suddenly in deep trouble.

The Indian team celebrated exuberantly, with Rana at the centre of the celebrations. His fiery spell early in the chase not only removed two key batters but also set India on course to dominate the series opener.

South Africa, looking confident at the start, were now under immediate pressure, thanks to Rana’s clinical execution and the energy it injected into the Indian attack.