IND vs SA Test, 2021: Shardul Thakur takes seven wickets to restrict South Africa to 229 runs. India leads by 58 runs with Pujara and Rahane at the crease.

India comfortable after second day.

This second test is moving really fast unlike the first one. We are just at the end of the second day and already 22 wickets have fallen.

India were troubled in the first innings. Skipper, KL Rahul(50), led from the front but at the other, it was absolute chaos. No other batter performed well.

Rahane is in a deep situation as he gets a golden duck. Cheteshwar Pujara’s form is also a worry for him and the Indian team.

The veteran, Ravichandran Ashwin proved his worth with a fighting inning. His contribution helped India push the 200 mark but failed to go any further.

The left-arm seamer, Marco Jansen, troubled the Indian batter throughout the innings with his four wickets. Kagiso Rabada and Duanne Olivier grabbed three wickets each.

Keshav Maharaja hardly got one over because of the destruction the pace bowlers were doing and also the pitch didn’t have that help as of on the first day.

Shardul Thakur is the real deal.

Just as everyone was wondering about Shardul being quit had roared with seven wickets. He was the only bowler in the first session to take wickets for India.

Getting into a rhythm and getting precious wickets of Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen, who were taking the game away, at crunch time.

His bowling was far better and disciplined than the strike bowlers. Apart from Aiden Markram, who was out by Mohammed Shami, six batters in the top 7 were the prey of Lord Shardul.

It can also be that not having an extreme pace helps to get that moment from the pitch. That is what I think has happened for India and Shardul. Earlier Marco Jansen, who is similar to Shardul, got success.

For South Africa, the positive was that they had a lead of 27 runs, which is obviously not big but nevertheless a lead is a lead. Some late attacks from Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaja got them some golden runs.

Apart from Shardul Thakur, Mohammed Shami took two wickets and Jasprit Bumrah got one. This bowling attack looks lethal as every bowler in this lineup can’t be taken lightly. And on a good day, they can seriously damage as shown here by Shardul.

India on top but work to be done.

Trailing by 27 runs, India took little time to level the score. Mayank Agarwal just like the first innings started dealing in boundaries. India were moving towards getting a healthy score but more important ending the day with no damage.

However, Marco Jansen struck gold, ending an important partnership. Although it was a rather controversial decision, KL Rahul had to depart.

Not long after that, his fellow opener also joined him in the pavilion. This time the hunter was Duanne Olivier, trapping Mayank in front.

India from having a solid base were now struggling to even get up. The next batters were experienced campaigners but are currently out of form.

They held to their name and without any further damage got through day 2. Pujara in particular was playing with freedom. And Rahane too was full of confidence.

A fantastic day of Test cricket comes to an end. IND vs SA Test 2nd, Day 2, highlights.