‘Abhi toh lord Bavuma aana baaki hai’ – Fans react as South Africa end Day 2 on high, take 11 runs lead with 5 wickets in hand

Day 2 of the South Africa vs India Test in Centurion ended with the hosts taking the upper hand – a lead of 11 runs and five wickets in hand. It started with India adding 36 more runs to their overnight score of 208, with KL Rahul scoring a sensational century. The Proteas bowlers managed to wrap up the Indian first innings soon and their batters, especially former captain Dean Elgar, complemented with an unbeaten ton.

In response to India’s 245, South Africa got off to a poor start as they lost Aiden Markram in the fourth over. However, opener Elgar and Tony de Zorzi brought them back into the game with a 90+ partnership for the second wicket. The visitors were desperately looking for a breakthrough and their star bowler Jasprit Bumrah claimed two successive wickets of Zorzi and Keegan Petersen.

Rohit Sharma’s men looked to gain the upper hand from there, but a 131-run partnership between debutant David Bedingham and Elgar secured the hosts. Although India managed to fight back by taking a couple of wickets in the final session, that partnership put South Africa in the driver’s seat. Bedingham scored a fifty before Mohammed Siraj cleaned him up. Kyle Verreynne fell cheaply as India debutant Prasidh Krishna got his maiden Test wicket.

Back-to-back early stumps in Centurion due to poor light

Marco Jansen is the new partner of Elgar, who is looking rock-solid at the other end. The southpaw got a hundred at his home ground in his farewell series. Looking at his shots and timing, it feels like the 36-year-old should reconsider his retirement. South Africa are 256/5 after 66 overs, with Elgar (140* off 211) and Jansen (3* off 13) at the crease.

The umpires declared stumps early due to poor light. It was cleary visible that Rohit and his team were unhappy with the decision. Notably, due to the same reason, a few overs were lost on the opening day as well. The first session of Day 3 will be crucial for both sides. Currently, South Africa are on top and India will be looking to pick up early wickets on Thursday to make a comeback in the game.

Here’s how fans reacted to Day 2 of SA vs IND vs first Test: 

Both team are in 50/ 50 % conditions

— Babar badshah👑🇵🇰 (@MeharTaha104) December 27, 2023

Proteas with the lead of 11 runs – an ordinary day for team India,

— JANNAT (@jannat8062) December 27, 2023

Am sure India will have great outing tomorrow

— Secular Chad (@SachabhartiyaRW) December 27, 2023

India still have the chance but it’s the proteas day today

— Hassan. (@Heyitshassan) December 27, 2023

https://twitter.com/gautam_ajay007/status/1740037941672690055

Yes the first session will be key for both

— عام آدمی (@piracha_a) December 27, 2023

Well played. Hope Indian bowlers can restrict them tomorrow at the earliest

— Anupama Singh (@anupamaasingh) December 27, 2023

Abhi toh LORD BAVUMA aana baaki hai

— Aditya Sinha (@aditya_sinhaop) December 27, 2023