INDIA’S fast bowlers hit back as South Africa tumbled from 159-4 to 176-7 at tea Wednesday on Day 2 of the decisive third and final test.
Mohammed Shami had a key double strike near the end of the session when he dismissed Temba Bavuma for 28 and Kyle Verreynne for a duck two balls later.
Jasprit Bumrah picked up his third wicket of the innings soon after and South Africa was still 47 runs behind India’s first-innings total of 223.
India took four wickets in the second session.
Keegan Petersen was 70 not out and held South Africa’s hopes of eking out a lead, which might be crucial to the result of the series.
The series is level at 1-1, setting up the series finale at Newlands in Cape Town, where top-ranked India could clinch its first test series win in South Africa.
Earlier, South Africa had recovered from the loss of opener Aiden Markram on the second ball of the day. Markram was bowled by a Bumrah special that cut back in to hit the off stump and leave South Africa struggling on 17-2.
South Africa hadn’t added to its overnight score when Markram went for 8.
Umesh Yadav followed up to remove nightwatchman Keshav Maharaj for 25 but Keegan Petersen and Rassie van der Dussen (21) settled things for South Africa with a 67-run stand.
Petersen and Bavuma put on another 42 and South Africa appeared to be taking a stranglehold on the game until Shami and Bumrah changed the complexion.
Bumrah was India’s main threat with his 3-29 and Shami was supported with 2-39. Yadav also had two wickets.
South Africa started the day 17-1.
- AP
