Guwahati, Nov 22 (UNI) Kuldeep Yadav starred with the ball as India kept South Africa in check on Day 1 of the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. The left-arm spinner claimed crucial wickets, including those of Tristan Stubbs and Ryan Rickelton, helping India maintain control even as the Proteas reached 247 for 6 in 81.5 overs by the close of play.
South Africa had won the toss and elected to bat.
At tea, the visitors were 82 for 1 in 26.5 overs, with Ryan Rickelton unbeaten on 35 and Aiden Markram having been dismissed for 38 by Jasprit Bumrah just before the interval. Extras contributed nine runs, including eight byes and one leg-bye, as the scoring rate stayed modest at 3.06 runs per over.
The post-lunch session saw steady batting from Tristan Stubbs and Temba Bavuma. Stubbs brought up the first boundary of the session off Ravindra Jadeja, lofting it over wide mid-on, and then cleared long-on for a six off Kuldeep Yadav.
Bavuma also found the fence multiple times, including back-to-back fours off Mohammad Siraj and Jadeja. At 44.5 overs, India lost a review when a leg-side strike on Bavuma’s pads was deemed sliding down leg, leaving the captain at the crease.
Kuldeep Yadav struck twice in quick succession, removing Stubbs for 49, caught by KL Rahul, and Rickelton for 35, caught by Rishabh Pant. These wickets ensured India stayed in control as South Africa crossed 156 for 2 in 55 overs at lunch.
The final session saw South Africa accelerate again, reaching 200 in 66.3 overs with 17 extras. Wiaan Mulder and Tony de Zorzi found boundaries, but the Indian bowlers struck at regular intervals.
Kuldeep dismissed Mulder for 13, caught by Yashasvi Jaiswal, while Mohammad Siraj broke the 45-run partnership by removing de Zorzi for 28, caught by Pant off a seaming delivery from the second new ball.
By drinks, the Proteas were 206 for 5 in 69 overs, with de Zorzi on 9 and Senuran Muthusamy on 4. After the new ball was taken at 80.3 overs, Siraj and Bumrah bowled tightly, though a few well-timed boundaries came from Muthusamy and de Zorzi.
South Africa ended the day at 247 for 6 in 81.5 overs, with Muthusamy unbeaten on 25 and Kyle Verreynne on 1. The innings featured a blend of steady batting and opportunistic shots, with India’s bowlers striking at regular intervals to prevent the scoring from getting away.
Bumrah and Siraj led the pace attack, supported by Jadeja, Washington Sundar, and Kuldeep, whose timely breakthroughs proved decisive. India, under newly appointed captain Rishabh Pant, fielded a balanced attack and kept the Proteas under pressure throughout the day.
Umpires Richard Kettleborough and Rod Tucker officiated on the field, with Chris Gaffaney as the third umpire and Richie Richardson as match referee. The contest remains closely fought as South Africa aim to build a competitive first-innings total in Guwahati.
