Thakur bags seven wickets as India move into 58-run lead

Shardul Thakur 

JOHANNESBURG (REUTERS): Seamer Shardul Thakur bagged a seven-wicket haul for India on Tuesday but the second test against South Africa remained delicately poised after the second days’ play at the Wanderers.

South Africa had a slender 27-run first innings advantage after being bowled out for 229 with India 85/2 in their second innings at the close.

K.L. Rahul, the stand-in skipper in place of injured Virat Kohli, and Mayank Agarwal both perished, but Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane went after the home bowling in the last half hour to guide India to a 58-run lead.

Rahul was out to a sharp catch in the slips for eight off Marco Jansen’s bowling and Agarwal was trapped LBW for 23 by Duanne Olivier.

Pujara, 35* off 42 balls, and Rahane (11*) resume on day three, both needing solid knocks to not only help India to set South Africa a daunting last innings target, but also to try and retain their places in the team after a run of poor form.

India are chasing a first-ever series victory in South Africa and lead 1-0 after their 113-run opening-test victory.

Thakur, 30, posted career best figures of 7/61 – the best return by an Indian bowler in a test against South Africa – and single-handedly removed the home top order after South Africa resumed the day on 35/1. Keegan Petersen and Temba Bavuma scored half centuries in the home teams’ reply to India’s 202 after the tourists had won the toss on Monday and elected to bat.