Hardik Pandya took two wickets after scoring an entertaining 93

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Hardik Pandya did it all for India on the second day of the first Test in Cape Town as not only did he rescue them from a precarious position with his knock of 93, but he also removed South Africa’s opening duo of Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar towards the close of play.

Starting off the day on 28/3, India managed to add 29 runs to their overnight score before Rohit Sharma was trapped lbw off the bowling of Kagiso Rabada for 11.

Rohit reviewed the decision, but the on-field call was upheld after replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and going on to hit middle stump.

While India managed to survive until the lunch break, the very first ball after, Cheteshwar Pujara was on his way back to the pavilion as he was caught by South Africa captain Faf du Plessis at second slip off the bowling of Vernon Philander for 26.

Philander struck again in his next over as he had Ravichandran Ashwin caught behind for 12 runs.

Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha failed to trouble the scorers as he was trapped lbw off the bowling of Dale Steyn. Like Rohit, Saha opted for a review, but it didn’t change the outcome of the umpire’s decision.

With India seemingly down and out at 92/7, Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar revived the innings with a 99-run partnership, during which Pandya cruised past his fifty.

However, just as India had dragged themselves back into contention, Kumar was caught behind off the bowling of Morne Morkel for 25.

Pandya ended up making 93 off 95 balls, which included 14 boundaries and a six, before he was caught behind off the bowling of Rabada.

India were eventually bowled out for 209, which gave South Africa a 77-run lead, when debutant Jasprit Bumrah was caught by Dean Elgar at fourth slip off the bowling of Rabada for two runs.

Rabada and Philander picked up three wickets apiece, while Morkel and Steyn, who was taken to hospital for scans after being diagnosed with a bruised left heel, chipped in with two wickets each.

With a 77-run lead in hand, the Proteas made a solid start to their second innings as Aiden Markram and Elgar amassed a 52-run partnership before Markram was dismissed by Pandya for 34.

Pandya got his second wicket in his next over as he had Elgar caught behind for 25.

Hashim Amla and Rabada, who was sent out as the nightwatchman, managed to survive until stumps as they put together an unbeaten six-run partnership.

Amla finished on four off eight balls, which included a boundary, while Rabada remained undefeated on two.

Pandya took both the wickets that South Africa lost.

South Africa ended day two on 65/2 and will continue batting on Sunday at 10:30 local time or 08:30 GMT.