India vs South Africa, 2nd Test: Day 2 at SuperSport Park

Skipper Virat Kohli scored a fighting 85 to keep India afloat on the day two of the second Test against South Africa on Sunday. Kohli held together India's innings with a classy unbeaten 85 which came off 130 balls and was studded with eight boundaries. Hardik Pandya (10 not out) was giving Kohli company at the crease as India reached 183 for five in 61 overs in their first innings at stumps in reply to South Africa's 335 all out. The duo added 19 runs for the unbeaten sixth wicket. The visitors, who are down 0-1 in the three-match series, still trail South Africa by another 152 runs.

Barring Kohli, opener Murali Vijay scored a gritty 46 off 126 balls before being dismissed by left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj. When rest of the Indian batsmen looked in little discomfort against the South African bowling attack, Kohli was at his positive best as he played his drives and pulls with consummate ease from the onset. Vijay too had a couple nervy moments against Vernon Philander but managed to survive the spell. He then settled down to aid Kohli in India's recovery.

Rohit Sharma once again fell cheaply, out lbw to Kagiso Rabada 133. The batsman went for review but was given out on umpire's call with the ball clipping the top of middle stump. Lungi Ngidi 126 then had Parthiv Patel 19 caught behind in the 54th over to reduce India to 164 for five. Patel had put on 32 runs with Kohli for the fifth wicket but became Ngidi's maiden Test wicket just as the innings started to look stable.

This was after South Africa were bowled out for 335 runs (113.5 overs) in their first innings just before lunch. R Ashwin finished with 4/113 and Ishant Sharma took 3/46 as the Proteas lost their last seven wickets for 89 runs. Starting from overnight 269/6, Faf du Plessis (63) and Keshav Maharaj (18) took their seventh wicket stand to 31 runs. Pacer Ishant bowled du Plessis to change the course of the morning session in favour of the visitors. Mohammed Shami (1/58) bowled a lively spell and got the breakthrough with Maharaj caught behind in the 99th over.

South Africa crossed 300 in the 106th over, while captain du Plessis reached his 17th Test half-century off 127 balls. In doing so, he put on 42 runs with Rabada 11. India finally got the delayed breakthrough in the 111th over as Pandya held a smart catch off Ishant in the deep. Ashwin then wrapped up the South African innings as Morne Morkel 6 holed out to long off.