Proteas lead, Pandya takes on challenge
Cape Town: South Africa lead India by 142 runs with eight wickets remaining after day two of the first Test as the world’s two best sides meet in Cape Town.
World number one side India were 28-3 at the start of play and collapsed to 92 for 7 before allrounder Hardik Pandya made 93 off 95 balls. Vernon Philander took 3-33 as India were bowled out for 209 to give the hosts a first-innings lead of 77.
Pandya then took two late wickets as South Africa closed on 65-2.
The hosts, ranked second in the world, could be without bowler Dale Steyn on day three after he went off the field before tea with a bruised heel and was taken for scans.
The 34-year-old, who needs only three wickets to overtake Shaun Pollock and become South Africa’s leading wicket-taker of all-time, is featuring in his first Test since November 2016 after his recovery from a long-standing shoulder problem.
India batting mainstay Cheteshwar Pujara praised Pandya’s whirlwind knock, saying his presence will allow the team combination to be more balanced.
“He batted really well, showed a lot of character. He hasn’t played many Test matches away from home but the kind of innings (he played) we expected it from him if he played in the playing XI,” said Pujara.
SCORES- South Africa 286 De Villiers 65, Kumar 4-87; & 65-2 Markram 34, Pandya 2-17; India 209 Pandya 93, Philander 3-33; South Africa lead by 142 runs with 8 wickets remaining.