Jasprit Bumrah finished with figures of 5-54 off 18.5 overs
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Jasprit Bumrah spearheaded India’s comeback on the second day of the third Test in Johannesburg as he took a five-wicket haul before his side proceeded to build a 42-run lead.
Starting off the day on 6/1, South Africa only added 10 runs to their overnight score before Dean Elgar was caught behind off the bowling of Bhuvneshwar Kumar for four runs.
Hashim Amla and Kagiso Rabada, who was sent in as the nightwatchman towards the end of the first day, stabilised the innings with a 64-run partnership before Rabada was caught by Ajinkya Rahane at gully off the bowling of Ishant Sharma for 30.
After Rabada’s dismissal, Kumar took out AB de Villiers, while Bumrah sent captain Faf du Plessis and wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock packing in quick succession.
With the hosts struggling at 125/6, Amla and Vernon Philander halted India’s charge with a 44-run stand, during which Amla surpassed his half-century.
Hashim Amla scored his 37th Test fifty
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
With South Africa inching ever closer to taking a first innings lead, they were dealt a major blow when Amla was caught by Hardik Pandya at deep square leg off the bowling of Bumrah for 61, which came off 121 balls and included seven boundaries.
Philander fell shortly after for 35, while Andile Phehlukwayo and Morne Morkel made nine runs apiece as South Africa were bowled out for 194 runs, which gave them a seven-run lead.
Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers with five wickets, while Kumar took three. As for Ishant and Mohammed Shami, they chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Trailing by seven runs, India made a poor start to their second innings as opener Parthiv Patel was caught by Aiden Markram at third slip off the bowling of Philander for 16.
Lokesh Rahul and Murali Vijay ensured India didn’t lose another wicket prior to stumps as they forged an unbeaten 32-run partnership.
Rahul finished on 16 off 38 balls, which included two boundaries, while Vijay remained undefeated on 13 off 49 deliveries, which included a solitary boundary.
Philander was the only bowler to take a wicket.
India ended day two on 49/1 and will continue batting on Friday at 10:00 local time or 08:00 GMT.