India and South Africa have once again resumed battling it out in the 2nd Test Match of the series at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg as the visitors are leading the series 1-0. Virat Kohli has been ruled out of the second Test due to a back spasm and KL Rahul has taken the charge of the Indian team at Johannesburg. Quinton de Kock’s sudden retirement has put South Africa in another tough spot but 25-year-old Ryan Rickleton, the dashing keeper-batter, will look to fill up the gap. Stand-in captain KL Rahul decided to opt for batting after winning the toss.
Team India collapsed on Day 1
India were bundled out for 202 on the opening day of the second Test against South Africa here on Monday. India, who reached 146 for five at tea, added 56 runs at the loss of five wickets during the final session of the day. Since the tea-break India slipped to 157/7. It was a troublesome morning for the tourists that began with captain Virat Kohli being ruled out of the game with a back injury. KL Rahul top-scored for Team India while Ravichandran Ashwin has also impressed with his 46-run knock.
Fast bowler Duanne Olivier took 3/26 and his wickets came in consecutive balls to give South Africa the edge in the opening session. Olivier was playing his first test in three years after seemingly abandoning his international career to play county cricket in England. arco Jansen was the pick of the South Africa bowlers with his four wickets
Duanne Olivier got the wickets Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane on back-to-back deliveries to put the hosts in the driver’s seat. Rahane was Olivier’s 50th Test wicket. Olivier is the second-quickest to get the 50 Test wickets in terms of balls after Vernon Philander (1254 balls) since the 1900. Olivier took 1486 balls to achieve the feat.
South Africa coming on to bat saw an early departure as it was once again the ace pacer Mohammed Shami, who dismissed Aiden Markram. At Stumps Day 1, The Proteas currently stand at 35/1 and will be eyeing to pile up pressure on the visitors on Day 2.
