IND vs SA, 1st Test: South Africa hold 63-run lead as India bowled out for 189 on day 2

South Africa finished day 2 (Nov 15) of the first Test at 93 for 7 in their second innings, stretching their lead to 63 runs. Proteas Skipper Temba Bavuma and Corbin Bosch were holding things together at stumps after a tough, low-scoring day in Kolkata. Earlier, India resumed from 37 for 1 but were bowled out for 189, with KL Rahul top-scoring with 39. South Africa’s right-arm spinner Simon Harmer caused most of the damage, returning figures of 4 for 30 to restrict India’s first-innings advantage to just 30 runs. 15 wickets tumbled on day 2, where eight of them belonged to Indian batters.

Earlier, India started the day with hopes of stretching their first-innings lead, but things went flat very quickly. Rahul, Pant and Jadeja all got starts in the twenties, but none of them pushed on. Once those three fell, India slipped steadily and were bowled out for 189. Rahul’s 39 was the highest of the lot, while Simon Harmer’s clever spell of 4 for 30 dragged South Africa right back into the match, trimming India’s lead.

After India’s innings folded, the hosts looked determined to strike early with the ball. Bumrah opened with control, but the pitch had begun to offer grip, which brought the spinners into the game immediately. Jadeja found rhythm from his very first ball. He removed Aiden Markram early, then chipped away again in the middle, breaking whatever resistance South Africa tried to offer. At the end of the day's play, Jadeja had four wickets.

Kuldeep Yadav supported Jadeja well from the other end. His drift and turn kept the batters guessing, and he took two quick wickets to push South Africa even deeper into trouble. Axar Patel added another, and the Proteas suddenly slipped to 67 for 7. In the middle of all this, Bavuma stayed steady. He defended well, left balls outside off and waited for anything a little loose. Bosch came in later and looked a bit shaky at first, but he managed to survive. The pair played out the remaining overs and took South Africa to 93 for 7 by the end of the day, stretching the lead to 63.

Now the match is set up nicely for day 3. South Africa have only three wickets left, but even 25-30 more runs from Bavuma could make India’s chase a bit tricky on this slow pitch.