After a stunning bowling performance, Indian batters have again let down big time, against South Africa. In the first test, the tail-enders did not showcase much resistance. KL Rahul played his best innings and scored a century in the first innings of the first test. But in the second test, such miracles did not happen for India.
Bowlers have bowled out South Africa in one session for just 55 runs. Mohammed Siraj took 6 wickets at a stretch in 9 overs spell. In the next session and half, India got bundled out for 153. Also, India lost 6 wickets for zero runs. From 153/4, then have ended up on 153 all-out in the matter of 3 overs. India still ended up with 98 runs lead even after losing wickets in a heave.
They lost wickets of KL Rahul(8), Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah in one over. Again, in one over, they lost Virat Kohli, Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna in the 35th over. Earlier, Rohit Sharma scored 39 runs after India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal for a duck. Shubman Gill(36) and Virat Kohli(46) tried to stabilize the innings but they could not kick on to make huge score.
7 batters in Indian innings failed to score and SA bowlers gave away 24 extras and that has become 4th highest score. With such a huge let down, Indian batters have tossed the great position that bowlers have put in. Lungi Ngidi(3/30), Kagiso Rabada(3/38) and Nandre Burger(3/42) took wickets for South Africa.
Indian bowlers again took 3 wickets for India, in the second innings. By the end of the day’s play, South Africa ended up with 62/3 on the score board. India is still holding on to 36 runs lead as SA got all-out for 55 in the first innings. Dean Elgar ended his Test career with just 12 runs to his name in his last innings. Mukesh Kumar took 2 wickets and Bumrah in his second burst against got Stubbs. Aiden Markram is at the crease for SA with 36 runs from 51 balls.
Well, bowlers have managed to take 23 wickets in one day and if the trend continues, the Test could end in 2 days. India would be hoping for South Africa to not score more than 100 runs more and have very less to chase in the fourth innings looking at their lower middle-order and tail enders batting prowess.