India vs South Africa Highlights, 1st Test Day 2: South Africa 93/7 at stumps, lead by 63 runs

That brings an end to the day’s play, and this Test has progressed at a brisk pace. Only the teams who have played on this wicket can truly judge it, but it’s clear the pitch has kept the contest alive. South Africa holds a lead of 63 runs, and if they can add another 60 or so to their total, we could be in for a fascinating chase tomorrow.

Kuldeep tossed one up, and Marco Jansen went for another slog sweep. The ball caught the outside edge, brushed his gloves, and KL Rahul dived to his left to take a brilliant catch. As the sun sets, South Africa continues to lose wickets at regular intervals. The umpires have just checked the light and are walking back to the pavilion, it has become noticeably dark very quickly here.

SA 93/7 in 35 overs

Marco Jansen has walked to the crease. A capable batter with a long handle, it will be interesting to see whether he takes on an attacking role or focuses on defending and supporting Temba Bavuma. If he chooses to attack, he will need to be smart and selective with his shot-making. Earlier, Verreynne’s attempt at a big shot appeared more like a desperate gamble than a calculated plan.

SA 89/6 in 32.4 overs

Axar Patel to Verreynne bowled! A poor shot from Verreynne, and Temba Bavuma immediately turns his head in disbelief. A rush of blood leads to a simple dismissal, and Verreynne has thrown his wicket away, gifting India another breakthrough.

SA 75/6 in 27.5 overs

Jadeja to Stubbs bowled! An absolute peach from Jadeja, and Stubbs can do nothing but look back in disbelief as the stumps light up. Jadeja comes from slightly wide of the crease, gets the ball to drift in, and then rip past the outside edge before hitting the top of off. Stubbs, deep in his crease and seemingly covering the angle, is beaten all ends up. A brilliant delivery and a huge wicket in the context of this Test.

SA 62/5 in 23.5 overs

Rishabh Pant’s captaincy has been impressive so far. Even after Kuldeep Yadav picked up a wicket, Pant made the timely bowling changes that brought Jadeja into the attack and it paid off immediately. The pitch offers variable bounce, with some deliveries turning sharply while others go straight or bounce unpredictably. Jadeja has been smartly targeting the stumps, using his natural variations to keep the South African batters under constant pressure.

SA 52/4 in 20 overs

Jadeja to Mulder, out caught by Pant! Just as Mulder was looking settled, Jadeja delivers one he can do nothing about. A good-length delivery with some turn leaps at him, and he edges it to the keeper. It looked like it came off the bat shoulder or the glove, unplayable from Jadeja.

De Zorzi walks in and walks back almost immediately! Jadeja strikes twice in quick succession, leaving South Africa in trouble at Eden Gardens. From round the wicket, the ball darts in on a good length around middle and leg, and Jurel holds on to a sharp catch.

SA 40/4 in 17 overs

Ravindra Jadeja to Markram, caught out by Dhruv Jurel. Aiden Markram tries an awkward sweep and pays the price. It looked like a late decision to go for the shot. Jadeja fires it in full, Markram stays upright instead of getting low, and swings across the line. The ball comes off the toe-end, looping up, and Jurel keeps his eyes steady to complete a clean catch.

SA 25/2 in 9 overs

Kuldeep strikes in his very first over, removing Rickelton right on the stroke of tea. The left-hander was adjudged lbw, had a brief chat with Markram, and chose not to review. At 85.2 kph, the flighted delivery landed on a good length. Rickelton stayed back expecting it to turn, but it went straight on, beating the inside edge and striking him on the front pad in line with the stumps. Ball-tracking confirmed three reds — hitting leg. Rickelton lbw b Kuldeep Yadav 11(23).

Tea would have tasted much sweeter for the Proteas had they not lost Rickelton in the final over of the session. After lunch, Jurel found some rhythm with a couple of boundaries before chipping one back to Harmer. Jadeja also fell to the offbreak, and India’s lower order offered little resistance. The hosts lost their last five wickets for just 36 runs, ending with a narrow lead of 30. While the first hour of the morning moved at a snail’s pace, the Test has since begun to advance rapidly.

SA: 18/1 in 6.4 overs

Harmer to Axar, out Caught by Marco Jansen!! Bowled at 91kph, this offbreak kicks up with extra bounce. Axar tries to free his arms for the cut but doesn’t get on top of the shot. It takes a thick top-edge and balloons towards backward point, where Jansen gets down low and completes a clean catch.

Gill won’t be coming out to bat, and India have been bowled out with a lead of just 30. Much like South Africa’s innings, several Indian batters got starts but failed to convert them into anything substantial. Rahul and Washington showed good composure in the first hour with no wickets falling, but the collapse followed soon after. Harmer was outstanding for the Proteas, bowling with skill and control throughout.

IND 189

Marco Jansen strikes again! Mohammed Siraj is bowled for 1 off 9 balls.

A short-of-length delivery from round the wicket holds its line, beating Siraj’s outside edge as he tries to defend from the crease. The ball hits the top of off stump, giving Jansen his third wicket of the innings.

IND 187/8 in 60.2 overs

Marco Jansen strikes again! Kuldeep Yadav is out, caught by Verreynne for just 1 off 8 balls.

Kuldeep tried to flick a short-of-length delivery angling down the leg side but only managed a tiny inside edge. Verreynne dived to his right and held on to a superb catch. India’s lead now stands at just 13 runs, with Axar Patel and the tail left to stabilize the innings.

IND 172/7 in 55.5 overs

Harmer strikes again! Ravindra Jadeja is out LBW for 27 off 45 balls, including three fours.

A massive appeal from the South Africans had umpire Rod Tucker raising his finger, prompting Jadeja to review. The ball hit pad first , a slider that Jadeja was playing for the turn and UltraEdge confirmed the impact. Ball-tracking showed three reds, and Jadeja was already walking back after seeing the replay. The review couldn’t overturn it: he’s out LBW to Harmer.

IND 172/6 (55)

Simon Harmer strikes again! Dhruv Jurel is out, caught and bowled for 14 off 14 balls, including three fours.

Jurel tried to work a delivery onto the on-side, but a toss-up around off landed in front of him. Closing the face of the bat, he ended up giving a leading edge that lobbed straight back to Harmer. The spinner dived forward, got both hands under the ball, and held on to a superb catch. The umpires checked for fairness, but it was clean, a brilliant caught-and-bowled dismissal.

IND 163/5 in 49.4 overs

The morning session comes to an end with a shared dominance. Wickets have continued to fall, and the game has moved steadily forward. South Africa’s superb bowling has kept them firmly in the contest, chipping away at the Indian batting line-up. Simon Harmer has been outstanding in this session, posing constant challenges. India will now need a few solid partnerships, as any lead they can build on this tricky pitch will prove invaluable.