Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin produced superb performances with the ball to hand India the advantage on the opening day of the second cricket Test in Bengaluru. In reply, openers Murali Vijay and Shikhar Dhawan saw India off to a steady start. The duo showed good composure and technique to bolster the advantage as the hosts signed off on 80/0 at stumps. The Indians now trail the Proteas by 134 runs.
Look who's turned up for the match? Legend in the stands. #IndvsSA https://t.co/uuDmLCQhH2
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 14, 2015
Vijay lives to fight another day...
Imran Tahir puts down a dolly, how costly will that prove to be? #IndvsSA https://t.co/bjVkc7rBKi
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 14, 2015
Over 51.3 | Score 177/7 (Abbott 0*)
Just as all thought AB would go on to score a famous ton, Jadeja sent him packing just before tea. As the players walk back into the dressing room, Kohli will be delighted with the effort of his side. AB will be gutted for getting out just before tea. The momentum is firmly in favor of the home side now.
AB de Villiers c Saha b Jadeja 85 (105b)
Over 50 | Score 170/6 (AB 78*, Abbott 0*)
Despite the fall of wickets, AB continued to play his natural game. This is why it is impossible to contain him. The right-hander has shown no signs of pressure, as he marches towards yet anothet Test ton. Only seven batsmen have scored a century in their 100th Test. This man could be the 8th. What a special player.
Even AB had no answer to this Jadeja jaffa!
Jadeja squares AB up. Turn and bounce! #IndvsSA https://t.co/TNT1c0ryph
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 14, 2015
Over 46 | Score 159/6 (AB 68*, Abbott 0*)
Jadeja made sure the Vila-AB partnership did no further damage to India, as the dismissed the wicketkeeper-batsman for 15. The spinner's delivery was played straight back to him by the right-hander. Jadeja made no mistake in completing a simple caught and bowled chance. Abbott is the new man in for SA.
Vilas c & b Jadeja 15 (32b)
.@ABdeVilliers17 lights up Bengaluru with a fighting half century. #IndvsSA pic.twitter.com/hDU0lr7Ka9
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 14, 2015
Over 35 | Score 120/5 (AB 44*)
Once again it was Ashwin who provided India with a crucial wicket. How many times has he done this of late?
Duminy's attempted push through the covers, had the ball taking the outside edge. Rahane completed a smart, low catch at slip. Huge wicket for India. Vilas is the new man in.
JP Duminy c Rahane b Ashwin 15 (39b)
Session 1 report
Ravichandran Ashwin struck twice in his very first over as India dominated the proceedings by reducing South Africa to 78 for three at lunch on the opening day of the second cricket Test, here on Saturday.
At lunch, opener Dean Elgar (38 batting) was in company of AB de Villiers (19 batting), who is playing his 100th Test match, as the duo added 33 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket stand.
Elgar so far faced 79 balls and hit two fours and a six while De Villiers had two fours in his 27-ball unbeaten knock.
Ashwin (2/21) and Varun Aaron (1/28) shared the spoils in the first session which belonged to the home team despite Elgar's resolute fight and some classy shots by De Villiers after Virat Kohli opted to field.
The Tamil Nadu off-spinner was introduced into the attack in the eighth over after Stuart Binny hardly troubled the openers after being entrusted with the duty of sharing the new ball with Ishant Sharma.
Ashwin immediately got into the act with twin strikes in his very first over. It took him only two balls to draw the first blood for India. He flighted one that straightened after pitching and caught opener Stiaan van Zyl (10) plumb in-front.
The ball was hitting the middle stump.
Faf du Plessis (0) wanted to use his feet as Ashwin altered the length but as he came down and tried to whip one, Cheteshwar Pujara at short-leg took a reflex catch crouching low as the visitors were reduced to 15 for two in eight overs.
While third umpire adjudged it as clean catch, TV replays showed that part of the ball was touching the ground.
Over 24 | Score 78/3 (AB 19*, Elgar 38*)
Elgar and AB have put on 30 runs since the fall of SA's third wicket. India is firmly in command at the moment but AB's threat still persists. Kohli and Co will be satisfied with their show in this first session. Ashwin has been fabulous and he will be expected to deliver the key wickets post lunch.
Over 15 | Score 45/3 (Elgar 27*)
Aaron perhaps produced the moment of the match and probably this series, as he cleaned up Amla. The right-hander was squared up by the pacer's delivery, which crashed into the off-stump. Wild celebrations from Aaron. AB walks in to bat in his 100th Test, The Bengaluru crowd delighted!
H Amla b Aaron 7 (18b)
Here's new ball bowler Stuart Binny's pitching zones this morning #IndvsSA https://t.co/ut9YcaegRt
— BCCI (@BCCI) November 14, 2015
Over 5 | Score 4/0 (Elgar 4*, van Zyl 0*)
Surprisingly, Kohli asked Binny to partner Ishant to open India's bowling attack. The Proteas' openers have been watchful so far. One positive thing has been the number of spectators in the stands, which is wonderful to see after the disappointing turnout in Mohali.
India captain Virat Kohli opted to bowl after winning the toss in the second cricket Test against South Africa, here today.
India made two changes in their playing XI with Ishant Sharma coming in place of Umesh Yadav while Stuart Binny replaces Amit Mishra as the bowling all-rounder.
South Africa made three changes to their side with Morne Morkel replacing Dale Steyn, Kyle Abbott coming in place of Vernon Philander while Simon Harmer makes way for JP Duminy.
Before the toss, the KSCA felicitated AB de Villiers for playing his 100th Test match.