SA vs IND | 2nd Test, Day 3: Vihari, Shardul steer India out of mini collapse, set Proteas stiff target

A counterattacking innings from Shardul Thakur and a well-composed 40 from Hanuma Vihari steered India past 250 runs in their second innings in the second Test of the series against South Africa. 

India were jolted by the four wickets in quick succession before the lunch break on the third day as Kagiso Rabada run through the middle order with wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane and Rishabh Pant.

However, Shardul came out all guns blazing after the lunch interval and put the Proteas pace attack, particularly, Marco Jansen to the sword. He blasted a few smashing drives through the off side before holing out in deep off Jansen.

Mohammad Shami could not contribute to the scoreboard while Jasprit Bumrah was welcomed by a barrage of bouncers by the pacers. He got into a verbal altercation with Jansen while the left-armer was trying to attack him with short-pitched bowling.

Vihari batted with immaculate precision of the field and patience and extended India’s total to 266 runs and setting South Africa a stiff target of 240 runs on a tricky pitch offering variable pace and bounce. He remained unbeaten on 40 while Lungi Ngidi bowled Mohammad Siraj to end India’s innings.