India have been the better performers on day two of the third Test against South Africa at the Newlands Cricket Ground. Jasprit Bumrah’s fifer helped the visitors bowl out the Proteas for 210, after which they ended the day with a lead of 70 runs. India finished day two on 57 for 2 with Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara unbeaten on 14 and 9 runs respectively. Let’s take a look at the important talking points from the day’s play.
Jasprit Bumrah’s fifer
Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was at the top of his game on day two, as he registered his seventh five-wicket haul in the longest format of the game. Bumrah (23.3-8-42-5) was well supported by Mohammed Shami (16-4-39-2) and Umesh Yadav (16-3-64-2), as the trio helped India bundle out the Proteas for 210. Interestingly, India have never lost a Test match in which Bumrah has taken five wickets.
After having a forgettable match at the Wanderers, Bumrah showed remarkable confidence to return to form in Cape Town. South Africa captain Dean Elgar was Bumrah’s first victim after being sent back on three runs in the third session of the opening day. Bumrah resumed day two from where he left on day one, dismissing Aiden Markram off the very second ball. Later he removed Keegan Petersen, Marco Jansen and Lungi Ngidi. Bumrah is now on an elite list with Kapil Dev and Irfan Pathan. He now has the joint-most five-wicket hauls by an Indian seamer after 27 Tests.
This is also only the third instance when an Indian bowler has taken a five-wicket haul in Cape Town. Harbhajan Singh bagged 7/120 in 2010/11, while Sreesanth has scalped 5/114 at the same venue.
Indian openers depart cheaply
Although the threat of Kohli and Pujara looms large, South Africa will be happy to have removed the Indian openers early in the second innings. While KL Rahul was sent back for 10 runs by Marco Jansen, Mayank Agarwal managed only seven runs before being dismissed by Kagiso Rabada. Thereafter, Kohli (14*) and Pujara (9*) took India to 57/2 after 17 overs at Stumps.
Keegan Petersen’s one-man show
The Indian fast bowlers proved to be too good for the South Africa batters in the latter’s first innings. Openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram were sent back on single digit scores, while Keshav Maharaj, Rassie van der Dussen and Temba Bavuma scored in 20s. while none of these batters could translate their starts to a big innings, they, at different times, lent support to Keegan Petersen, who was South Africa’s lone fighter with the bat. Petersen had just six runs from 42 balls by drinks, but swung his bat more often after that, with six fours coming in from the next nine overs. As wickets kept falling one after the other, Petersen kept building his innings before being removed by Bumrah on 72.
On day three, Kohli, fresh from a half-century in the first innings and Pujara will look to further extend India’s lead and take the game and the series away from the hosts.
Also read: South Africa vs India, 3rd Test Day 1 – Talking Points
