HIGHLIGHTS INDIA VS SOUTH AFRICA 2018 1ST TEST, DAY 2: Another absorbing day of cricket comes to an end. Some nervy moments at the fag end of the day for South Africa but they will be happy overall as they are in a strong position at the moment. However, Hardik Pandya's successful burst in which he picked up a couple of wickets has kept India in the game. Markram promised a lot but failed to convert his start while Elgar was tentative and finally fell prey. Earlier, it was a battle of wits and India did well to see off the toughest phase of the morning, the first hour, with some rock solid blocks. The pair of Pujara and Sharma were settling in but Rabada dislodged the latter after the first drinks break. Pujara also departed in quick succession and then a collapse followed. India lost 35/4 in that phase and were in danger of conceding a lead in excess of 150. Pandya and Kumar came to the rescue for the visitors. The all-rounder launched a counter-attack while Kumar was cool as a cucumber. The 99-run stand between them helped India's cause. The former made good use of the two opportunities and scored a brilliant 93. Still, the Proteas ended up leading by 77 runs. They would be disappointed to have lost a couple of wickets but are still well-placed. With the track getting better to bat on, the hosts will fancy to swell the lead as much as possible. There are forecast of showers tomorrow which might work in the tourists' favour. Will India capitalize on that? Catch all the latest cricket scores from India vs South Africa 2018 here. (LIVE UPDATES, INDIA VS SOUTH AFRICA, 1ST TEST, DAY 3)
HIGHLIGHTS, INDIA VS SOUTH AFRICA, 1ST TEST, DAY 2 AT NEWLANDS, CAPE TOWN
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21.31 IST: SA 65/2 at stumps, lead IND by 142 runs. Mohammed Shami to Kagiso Rabada, no run. Rabada survives somehow! On a good length around off, Rabada feels for it but the ball straightens and beats the outside edge of his bat. Saha takes it and the Indians appeal but Shami himself shakes bis head. Kohli has a chat with his teammates but doesn't take the review. Has a big smile on his face. There was no edge there. THAT'S STUMPS ON DAY 2!
21.25 IST: Kumar is back for a burst.
21.20 IST: Shami is back on.
21.19 IST: Hashim Amla is the new man in. A tricky period for South Africa as suddenly the ball is doing something.
21.18 IST: WICKET! Pandya removes Elgar for 25 runs. SA 286 & 59/2, lead IND (209) by 136 runs. India are right back in the contest courtesy Hardik Pandya again! He is doing a similar sort of job as Ben Stokes does for England. A really energetic character, you can be sure that he will give his cent percent. Lands it on a fullish length around off and gets the ball to move away after pitching. Enough on it to induce a false stroke from a tentative Elgar and he gets a thick outside edge. Saha moves to his left and accepts it gleefully.
21.16 IST: FOUR! Beautiful! Full and straight, clipped elegantly through mid-wicket to find the fence.
21.12 IST: The nightwatchman, Kagiso Rabada strides out to bat. Interesting tactic from South Africa. India had stuck to their normal batting line-up yesterday but it didn't work. Let's see how Rabada fares. Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin comes to roll his arm over. A slip and a short leg in place.
21.10 IST: WICKET! Pandya removes Markram for 34 runs. SA 286 & 52/1, lead IND (209) by 129 runs. Hardik Pandya is in the thick of things again! Much-needed breakthrough for India. Got to say that it was a needless shot from Markram and he has thrown his wicket away. Back of a length ball on off, Markram hops and goes for a half pull/half flick. Not the ideal length to play pull it. Ends up getting a top edge that lobs in the air towards Kumar at the point region. He doesn't move an inch and takes a comfortable catch. An innings that promised so much has been cut short. South Africa are effectively 129/1.
21.06 IST: FOUR! And here comes magnificent Markram! That flew off the bat! What timing. Fractionally overpitched outside off, Markram leans ahead and creams it through extra cover for a gorgeous boundary. That brings up the 50 for South Africa. Smooth sailing at the moment.
21.05 IST: A loud appeal for an LBW denied! Good length ball in line of the stumps, Elgar hops to keep it out but misses to get pinged on the pads. Shami is confident but the umpire pays no heed to him. Height was the factor. SA 48/0 in 14 overs, leading IND by 125 runs.
21.04 IST: WOW! This time even better. This one is more authoritative! Completely nailed that one. Shortish delivery, sits up nicely for Elgar. He stands tall and pulls it with aplomb through mid-wicket for a rocketing boundary. He stands tall and pulls it with aplomb through mid-wicket for a rocketing boundary.
21.03 IST: FOUR! Elgar plays a confident shot here. Brilliant shot! Shami tries to test Elgar with a bouncer. The southpaw is alert though and pulls it all along the ground through the backward square leg region to find the fence.
20.54 IST: FOUR! Uppish but safe! Back of a length outside off, angling in. Elgar plays it intentionally with an angled blade towards gully. However, it is too close for comfort as the ball just falls short of a diving Dhawan and goes past him through to the fence.
20.52 IST: Kohli is thinking about runs now. The lead has gone past 100 and he has turned defensive. There are some men in the deep now.
20.51 IST: FOUR! What a timely stroke! Sublime! That was so pleasing to the eyes. Full delivery and so straight in line, Markram clips it nonchalantly through mid-wicket and away she whistles to the fence.
20.48 IST: Time for Drinks. India have bowled well especially Bhuvneshwar Kumar but don't have anything to show for in the wickets column. Elgar has looked tentative but has done well to battle it out. Markram has been more assured and has played some eye-catching strokes. With the pitch not assisting the bowlers that much, how will India go about things in the final 45 minutes of the day? Let's find out. Meanwhile, Hardik Pandya comes on for a bowl.
20.45 IST: There is some issue with the ball perhaps with the seam. Shami is not happy with it. The umpire tells him to carry on till the end of the over. Why not change the ball now?
20.42 IST: Also read! Dale Steyn injures heel on return from shoulder issues
20.40 IST: Mohammed Shami to have a crack at the batsmen now.
20.35 IST: Jasprit Bumrah to Dean Elgar, no run. Well bowled and equally well played by Elgar. Fullish ball on off, seams away with the natural angle. Elgar plants his front foot across, points his bat skywards and watches the ball sail through to the keeper. SA 22/0 in 8 overs. leading India by 99 runs
20.27 IST: FOUR! Shot! Shortish and room on offer, Markram gets on top of the bounce and punches it through covers for a glorious boundary. He is so young and seems to have a lot of time to play his strokes.
20.23 IST: 5 overs gone, Indian pacers seek an early breakthrough.
20.20 IST: Jasprit Bumrah to Aiden Markram, no run. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. SA 13/0 in 4 overs.
20.16 IST: FOUR! A streaky one this time. A length ball outside off, Markram pushes it away from his body and gets a thick outside edge over gully to third man!
20.15 IST: FOUR! Nice shot. On a length outside off, Markram punches it on the up through the covers for a boundary!
20.12 IST: Top edge! Dropped! Technically though. Otherwise a terrific effort from Shami. A short ball outside off, Elgar straightaway looks to pull but gets a massive top edge. It swirls in the air for eternity and Shami runs a long way from mid on. Almost gets to the ball as he stretches his hands but the ball just touches his fingertips and drops down. Two runs taken. Elgar gets off the pair.
20.09 IST: Jasprit Bumrah to share the new ball with Bhuvi.
20.08 IST: Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram, no run. A length ball around off, watchfully defended. A maiden to start off then for Bhuvi. SA 0/0 after first over.
20.06 IST: Bhuvneshwar opens India's attack. Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Aiden Markram, no run. Very full and outside off, Markram just about digs it out.
20.00 IST: Not much time taken by South Africa to wrap things up after the Tea break. They came in with a new plan to Hardik Pandya and cramped him for room, eventually getting his wicket as well. After scoring 286, the Proteas would accept a lead of 77 gleefully but the momentum is with the Indians right now, as at one stage, they looked to be conceding almost double of that lead.
19.55 IST: WICKET! India all-out for 209 runs. Edged and taken. The Indian innings finally ends. Full and outside off, Bumrah has a tame poke inside the line and only succeeds in nicking it to Dean Elgar at fourth slip who catches it this time. SOUTH AFRICA GET A LEAD OF 77!
19.51 IST: FOUR! Much better from Shami. Full and wide outside off, Shami throws his bat at it and gets a thick outside edge which flies over point and reaches the fence! The deficit is now down to 77. The stand is worth 10.
19.48 IST: How much runs tail-enders can bring for India?
19.46 IST: FOUR! LEG BYES. Down the leg side, Shami misses his tickle but the ball goes off his thigh pads past the keeper to the fine leg fence.
19.46 IST: Pandya misses out on hundred but receives praise for his stellar knock.
19.44 IST: Bumrah not much nervous on his debut! IND 201/9, trailing SA by 85 runs.
19.42 IST: Two short legs in place now.
19.37 IST: Jasprit Bumrah is the last man in. How much can the last wicket add?
19.36 IST: WICKET! Pandya (93) misses out on hundred but lifts India. Caught behind and Pandya walks! End of a brilliant innings and just unfortunate for Hardik that he could not get a ton. A short ball outside off, Hardik gets across and slashes hard but only nicks it behind. De Kock starts to appeal but sportsman Pandya walks. End of a terrific innings. Not sure about a game-changing one but definitely a momentum-breaking one.
19.30 IST: FOUR! Pandya close to his Test century. BANG! A short ball outside off, Pandya backs away and crashes it through the covers for a boundary!
19.29 IST: An action-packed over concludes. Kagiso Rabada to Hardik Pandya, 1 run. Full and outside off, Pandya drives it towards mid off. But Rabada flings himself to his left and parries it to the fielder. A quick single taken. IND 192/8, trailing SA by 94 runs.
19.28 IST: Ouch! That would have hurt. A short ball, on middle, Hardik swivels to pull but misses and gets hit on the box. He is immediately down in pain. He has the presence of mind to keep his bat in his crease as Rabada has a shy at the striker's end.
19.25 IST: Kagiso Rabada comes back on to try and bowl India out in this spell.
19.23 IST: Mohammed Shami walks in at number 10, replacing Bhuvi.
19.22 IST: WICKET! Morkel removes Bhuvneshwar for 25 runs. Morkel finally breaks the 99-run stand! Not exactly a relief for South Africa but they at least get the 8th wicket. A length ball outside off, Bhuvi chases it and ends up getting a thick outside edge to de Kock behind. End of a valiant knock of 25 and importantly, a brilliant stand of 99. India now trail by 95.
19.19 IST: Morne Morkel to Hardik Pandya, 1 run. Bye. Sloppy from South Africa. A short ball from around the wicket, Pandya gets across and attempts the hook but misses. De Kock fumbles and concedes a single. Morne was about to go for the catch but then got angry on seeing Quinton drop it. The umpire signals a bye though.
19.15 IST: EDGE? NO! Morne Morkel to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, no run. A wicket? Nope. Short and outside off, Bhuvi had a feel for it and there seemed to be some noise as the ball went past the bat. De Kock started to appeal but Morkel did not even bother.
19.09 IST: Dale Steyn has left for a scan on his left heel.
19.08 IST: Morne Morkel to Hardik Pandya, no run. Around off, Pandya wants to tap and run but is sent back rightly. The ball had barely crossed the pitch and Keshav Maharaj had come in quickly from short leg. IND 186/7, trailing SA by 100 runs.
19.03 IST: A picturesque Cape Town welcomes everyone back. Session 1 was South Africa, session 2 was India. How will this final one pan out? Plenty of overs left - 40. We are certainly not going to get all of those in. How much can India bring down the deficit to? 75? 50? Can they draw parity? Keshav Maharaj to start off proceedings to Hardik.
18.45 IST: 109/3 in 25 overs! And 81 of those 109 have been from Hardik Pandya's bat. For the first time in this match, India's batsmen have taken the attack to the opposition and the visitors are firmly back in this game.
18.43 IST: Pandya (81*) and Bhuvneshwar (24) bring back hope for India as they reach 185/7 at tea, trailing South Africa by 101 runs.
18.39 IST: Oh no! Steyn is limping off the field. Shaun Pollock on air reckons that it could be a blister. Either way, more problems for South Africa.
18.37 IST: Steyn removes his shoe and then wears it again. Now Philander comes over with some advice. South Africa making sure that this is the last over before Tea. They are rattled. Mind games?
18.30 IST: Was there an EDGE? Caught behind! No? Nope. A brute of a delivery nevertheless. A short ball outside off, Pandya feels for it but the ball suddenly lifts off nowhere and goes to de Kock. The Proteas appeal but the umpire is calm. South Africa do not review.
18.28 IST: FOUR! HANDSOME! Half volley wide outside off, Bhuvi just leans into this one and drives it through the covers. The ball races away off the turf and meets the fence!
18.26 IST: Also read! Pandya's fighting fifty draws praise
18.23 IST: Dale Steyn to Hardik Pandya, 1 run. Short and wide outside off, punched through point for a run. IND 171/7, trailing SA by 115 runs.
18.20 IST: Dale Steyn is back on. South Africa are feeling like how India were feeling when Maharaj was batting.
18.17 IST: SIX! Terrific shot! Flighted on middle, Hardik comes down the track and flicks it beautifully over mid-wicket and clears the ropes! The deficit is now down to 125!
18.16 IST: Forced change. Pandya will love this. Keshav Maharaj into the attack now. Can he break this stand?
18.15 IST: Meanwhile, the BCCI congratulates Pandya on his 2nd Test fifty
18.13 IST: FOUR! Bhuvi's back-to-back boundaries. Poor ball and punished! Full and down the leg side, Bhuvi tickles it past the keeper and gets it to the fine leg fence! The stand is now worth 61 from 76 balls! Bhuvi moves to 10 now.
18.11 IST: FOUR! Beautifully played. Bhuvneshwar into the act now! Half volley outside off, wide and inviting to drive, Kumar obliges and drives it through the covers for a boundary!
18.05 IST: FOUR! What a finish to this over! And what a way to bring up the 50-run stand! In just 74 balls. Morne digs it in short and Pandya pulls it into the ground through mid-wicket and gets a boundary. Moves to 63 from just 56 balls. IND 145/7 in 54 overs.
18.04 IST: FOUR! Pandya slams his 11th boundary. He does it again! Must have immense confidence in his ability to play that shot. A short ball outside off, Pandya arches back and ramps it over the keeper to the fence behind!
18.02 IST: FOUR! Pandya completes his 2nd Test half-century. Not cleanly hit but it will do to bring up Hardik's second Test Fifty! Well played. You have fought fire with fire and forced South Africa to think differently. A length ball outside off, Pandya flays hard and gets it off the toe end of the bat but has enough on it to clear mid-off.
17.52 IST: FOUR! 50 overs gone and Pandya has got some groove here. AUDACIOUS! Short and wide outside off, Hardik crashes it through point and gets a boundary! Pandya doing to South Africa what AB did to India. The deficit is now down to 159.
17.49 IST: FOUR! He gets the ramp shot right this time! A short ball outside off, Pandya ducks and then plays the upper cut over the keeper to the third man fence! Some swagger in that shot, he immediately looked down after playing that. Moves to 41 from 38 balls.
17.48 IST! FOUR! LEG BYES! Full and down the leg side, Bhuvneshwar misses his flick and the ball hares past the keeper to the fine leg fence. The deficit is now 169. IND 117/7 in 49 overs.
17.46 IST: Some issue with the ball. Looks like the thread has come off. Philander hands it to umpire Kettleborough who cuts it off with a scissor.
17.41 IST: Time for Drinks. South Africa are controlling the proceedings and are running away with the show. Disciplined bowling has brought in rewards. The big wicket of Pujara has led them to slope downhill. India still trail by 174 runs and are staring down the barrel. They will expect Hardik Pandya to keep playing his shots and reduce the deficit.
17.40 IST: Morne Morkel to Bhuvneshwar Kumar, No run. Sits deep in the crease and guides it to the man at gully. IND 112/7 in 48 overs.
17.29 IST: FOUR! Elegant! Didn't try to hit it hard but just timed it. On a length outside off, Pandya leans ahead and creams it through covers. Away she whistles to the fence.
17.27 IST: Morkel is back on. Pandya's counter-attack against Philander has forced this change.
17.25 IST: A slight halt. Kumar moves away and stops Rabada in his delivery stride.
17.23 IST: Kagiso Rabada comes back for another burst.
17.17 IST: Pandya plays it his way; three boundaries in this over. Vernon Philander to Hardik Pandya, no run. On a length outside off, Hardik lets it go. 12 from the over. IND 104/7 in 43 overs.
17.15 IST: FOUR! Crunched! Back of a length and room on offer, Pandya cuts it past the backward point region for a boundary.
17.12 IST: Bhuvneshwar Kumar strides out to bat.
17.12 IST: Review lost! India in all sorts of trouble! Saha looks dead to the naked eye but he has still opted for the review as this is the last recognized pair.
17.11 IST: Steyn strikes, Saha departs for duck! A complete error in judgement and Saha departs! India exhaust their reviews. Fuller in length around off, shaping in sharply. Saha thinks that it will hold its line and points his bat skywards to take it on his pads. Steyn appeals vociferously and up goes the umpire's finger. However, Saha decides to challenge the decision. Time for the replays. There are three reds and the wicket-keeper batsman is a dead duck.
17.09 IST: Dropped! Dale Steyn to Hardik Pandya, 1 run. Dropped! Huge moment in the game. Just now Elgar came into the gully position and he has put it down.
17.08 IST: At the moment, India are in trouble. Can Hardik Pandya replicate what AB de Villiers did for his side in first innings?
17.02 IST: Dale Steyn to Hardik Pandya, no run. Fuller in length, kept out watchfully. IND 87/6 in 40 overs.
17.00 IST: FOUR! Brilliant shot! Fullish and straight on this occasion, Pandya stays well-balanced and clips it nonchalantly through mid-wicket. The fielder from square leg covers a lot of ground to his left but only comes second best.
16.58 IST: Wriddhiman Saha comes out to bat.
16.57 IST: WICKET! Ashwin departs for 12 runs. What a stunner! Take a bow, Quinton de Kock. He has grabbed some terrific catches behind the stumps and this one is right up there. Full-length ball outside off, swinging away and encouraging Ashwin to go for an ambitious stroke. He obliges but goes at it with half-heartedly. Ends up getting a faint nick. De Kock has his feet moving, generates good momentum with his left foot and leaps like a goalkeeper to his right to take a beauty. The good thing was that he landed softly on the ground and ensured that the ball doesn't pop out of his gloves. India are in dire straits now.
16.51 IST: Not out! Clearly off the thigh pad! Judicious use of the review. Similar delivery, Pandya is opened up in his stance and is late to bring his bat down. Seems that he has missed the ball and it goes off something into the gloves of de Kock. The hosts appeal in unison and the umpire raises his finger. Steyn is absolutely elated but Pandya challenges the decision instantly. Time for the replays. Well, the bat is miles way away from the ball and it had indeed came off the thigh pads.
16.50 IST: REVIEW! South Africa have their tails up and are running riot at the moment. Pandya has been caught behind but he straightaway goes for the review. Indication that it has come off the thigh pad.
16.47 IST: Dale Steyn to bowl from the other end.
16.45 IST: The fourth slip comes in place now. South Africa on full attack mode.
16.44 IST: Four! Nervy start! Fullish delivery outside off, Pandya goes for a drive but ends up getting a thick outside edge in the gap between the slip cordon and gully for a boundary.
16.42 IST: Hardik Pandya strides out to bat.
16.41 IST: WICKET! Big blow for India. Pujara departs for 26 runs. This is a big, big breakthrough for South Africa! A dream start after the break. Philander pitches it on a good length well outside off and gets it to move away after pitching. Pujara is guilty of poking at it and ends up getting a fat outside edge which flies towards third slip. Faf du Plessis dives to his right and takes a good low catch.
16.20 IST: See how newly-wed Anushka Sharma cheers for her husband Virat Kohli from stands at Newlands, Cape Town.
16.15 IST: After dismissing Rohit, Rabada troubled Ashwin initially as well but the batsman did well to play sensibly after that. On the other end, Pujara has been solid as a rock and remains unfazed by whatever has been thrown at him. South Africa won't mind though as they have kept a lid on the scoring rate and are still ahead by 210 runs. Will either of the two conquer the territory in the afternoon session? Or will it be another phase of grinding it out?
16.01 IST: Another maiden over by Steyn before the lunch break. IND 76/4 in 36 overs, trailing SA by 210 at lunch. Dale Steyn to Ravichandran Ashwin, no run. Good length ball around off, Ashwin camps back and blocks it towards mid off. THAT'S LUNCH ON DAY 2!
16.00 IST: Pujara walks across to his partner and has a chat with him. Probably a tactic to ensure that this is the last over before Lunch.
15.54 IST: Meanwhile, Michael Holding makes a good analysis on air. He notices that in this game, Steyn's seam position hasn't been that upright. The seam has tended to wobble and as a result, he hasn't had that much control over his bowling as he usually does. Mike Haysman adds that when he was at his peak, his seam presentation was impeccable.
15.53 IST: A maiden over by Dale Steyn. Dale Steyn to Ravichandran Ashwin, no run. Short ball but down the leg side, left alone. SA 74/4 in 34 overs.
15.49 IST: Dale Steyn comes back for a burst before Lunch.
15.48 IST: Kagiso Rabada has improved his pace in this tour. When Bangladesh toured South Africa recently, he was bowling under 140 kph. He has increased his speed gun and is consistent bowling around 140-145 kph. He has been difficult to deal with so far.
15.47 IST: Kagiso Rabada to Cheteshwar Pujara, 1 run. The batsman drives this through the covers. The batsmen have run through for a single. IND 73/4 in 33 overs.
15.45 IST: FOUR! Edged but he was in some control there! Good length delivery in the corridor of uncertainty, Pujara plays it with an angled bat in the gap between third slip and gully. Came out off the outer half of the bat but found the right direction to find the fence.
15.39 IST: FOUR! In the air for a while but well-controlled! Morkel goes straight this time and bowls it on a length. Ashwin clips it aerially past the short leg fielder and the ball whistles away to the fence. He has looked solid so far apart from being tested at the beginning of his innings.
15.38 IST: No run. Rabada loses his radar and slips this one down the leg side, Cheteshwar aims to glance it to fine leg but only connects with thin air. IND 64/4 in 31 overs.
15.29 IST: FOUR! Streaky! Sharp bouncer down the leg side, Ashwin is caught in a tangle as he fends it off from his gloves past de Kock and gets off the mark with a boundary. IND 61/4
15.23 IST: OUT! Rabada removes Rohit LBW for 11. The on-field call is upheld and India exhaust a review! This is a vital breakthrough for South Africa and it is the young Rabada who has brought joy on the faces of his teammates. He runs in with good rhythm and bowls a fullish delivery around off. Gets it to swing in prodigiously as well. Sharma aims to drive it down the ground but his bat comes from behind the pad and he falls over a bit as well. Ends up missing it completely and is hit flush on the pads. The Proteas roar in an appeal and the umpire raises the dreaded finger. IND 57/4, trail SA (286) by 229 runs. R Ashwin comes out to bat.
15.13 IST: FOUR! Rohit hits a boundary off Rabada! Streaky runs! An edge has been finally induced but it runs away for a boundary. On a driveable length outside off, Sharma goes for a booming drive but gets a thick outside edge. Fortunately for him, the ball flies in the gap between third slip and gully to run through to the fence. IND 53/3, trail SA (286) by 233 runs
15.11 IST: FOUR! Pujara hits a boundary off Morkel! All about timing and grace! Full length ball, straight on this occasion. Pujara maintains his balance and clips it beautifully through square leg. The fielder gives it a chase but the ball wins the race. Patience is a bitter plant that yields sweet fruits, that is the case with Pujara. IND 49/3, trail SA (286) by 237 runs
15.08 IST: What an over it was from Rabada. He starts with a maiden! IND 45/3, trail SA (286) by 241 runs
15.00 IST: It's time for drinks! SA pacers Steyn, Philander and Morkel have kept it tight for the Indian batsmen to score. Both Pujara and Rohit have been watchful as they look to rotate strike and not lose their wickets. Both teams would be happy. South Africa will say India have not got away, managing just 17 runs in 13 overs this morning while the visitors will feel satisfied that they have not lost any wickets. Run rate is not that important. As a batsman spends more time at the crease, he will start to feel more comfortable and runs will start to come. Round 1 has belonged to India. Meanwhile, Kagiso Rabada comes into the attack. IND 45/3, trail SA (286) by 241 runs
14.40 IST: FOUR! Leg byes and the ball crosses the ropes. Steyn loses his radar and slips this down the leg side, Pujara looks to flick but the ball goes off his pads past the diving Quinton de Kock to the fine leg fence. IND 41/3, trail SA (286) by 245 runs
14.32 IST: FOUR! Pujara hits Steyn for the first boundary of the morning. That has come out of frustration. Steyn was probably expecting the track to do something but it has not done much. Bowls it too straight and Pujara just works it through mid-wicket. The timing is supreme and the ball races to the fence. The stand moves to 10. IND 37/3, trail SA (286) by 249 runs
14.29 IST: Another maiden from Philander. IND 33/3, trail SA (286) by 253 runs
14.28 IST: Both Rohit and Pujara will be crucial for India on Day 2. A look back at Rohit Sharma's last five Test innings - 82, 51*, 102*, 65 & 50*
14.24 IST: While we are witnessing an intense battle between India and South Africa at Newlands, here's a look at a few interesting trivia.
14.20 IST: Four maiden over to start with from Steyn and Philander. Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara look cautious in their approach.
14.09 IST: Philander starts with a maiden over too. IND 28/3, trail SA by 248 runs
14.06 IST: Vernon Philander to share the attack this morning with Steyn.
14.05 IST: Dale Steyn starts with a maiden over! IND 28/3, trail SA by 248 runs
13.55 IST: We are set to get underway. The sun is shining in all its glory and it is a perfect day for playing cricket. Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma stride out to bat. Dale Steyn to start off the proceedings with the ball. Here we go...
13.50 IST: Shaun Pollock is out there on the field and is being interviewed by the experts in the press box. The former fast bowler says that South Africa are ahead at the moment. Mentions there will be movement in the first hour and he expects the hosts to take some wickets. States that when South Africa come to India, it is said that they are vulnerable against the spinning ball. Feels that the top four quality Protea bowlers can put any top side under pressure in home conditions. Reckons that Rohit Sharma can prove to be dangerous. Opines that because of the bounce and carry on this surface, you don't have to get a big stride forward. Adds that you have to get your eye in and build after that.
13.45 IST: South Africa, on the other hand, have been persistent with their plans and have come out on top. Philander has been probing away in the fourth-stump channel while Steyn has provided him good company. They are likely to stick to what they have been doing because it has been reaping dividends so far. However, the good thing for the tourists is that the pair of Pujara and Sharma is still out there and they are pretty much capable of pulling the initiative back. Will the No. 1 Test side prove their mettle in testing conditions? Or will the hosts run away with the show? Expect a mouth-watering contest.
13.30 IST: There will be a feeling lingering among many fans that India were found wanting against the moving ball yesterday. Perhaps the mentioned factor is not that much of a factor as compared to the batsmen throwing their wickets away. The pitch has bounce and seam movement but you need to apply yourself in order to flourish in the middle. It is the mindset which matters. Mental adaptability is of utmost importance and the visitors have failed to put that into effect so far.
13.20 IST: Here's a recap of Bhuvneshwar Kumar's sensational spell on Day 1.
13.15 IST:
13.10 IST: Earlier, the hosts were tottering at 12/3 but they staged a remarkable recovery majorly due to the 114-run stand between de Villiers and du Plessis. A breezy knock from de Kock down the order also proved instrumental in taking his team close to 300 and Philander played the perfect foil to him. The Indians were good with the ball but lacked the teeth to run through the opposition. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was the standout performer and finished with a 4-fer.
13.05 IST: Credit to the South Africans for being on the money and making life difficult for the batsmen but there is literally no excuse for Vijay, Dhawan and Kohli. The skipper's dismissal was the most disappointing one for the tourists as he could have easily left that delivery outside off alone. Philander, Steyn and Morkel picked up a wicket apiece.
13.00 IST: South Africa will be brimming with confidence while the Indians only have themselves to blame for not being able to respond well with the bat. They had around 40 minutes to play with but they were out of sorts. Difficult to fathom the mindset of the visitors as they didn't show proper resilience and even didn't have the conscience to see off the tricky period. You need to realize that this is a team game and the morale goes for a toss when you throw your wickets away.
