India fight back
Wickets tumbled and batsmen were struck on the fingers and body as South Africa and India battled for supremacy on the second day of the third and final Test on Thursday.
Hashim Amla's 61 enabled South Africa to squeeze into a seven-run first innings lead before India nudged ahead again by reaching 49 for one at the close, an overall lead of 42 at Wanderers Stadium.
India's bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah (five for 54) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (three for 44), never allowed the batsmen to settle, with the ball deviating disconcertingly off the pitch at times.
Batsmen faced extreme difficulties on a pitch criticised by two former South African and Indian captains, Shaun Pollock and Sunil Gavaskar, who are commentating on the match for TV.
Pointing to cracks and indentations on a good length, with graphics showing extravagant movement and unpredictable bounce, Pollock said: "If you've got deliveries behaving like this on day two of a Test match it can't be judged a good surface."
Gavaskar said the pitch was "totally in favour of bowlers".
India, trying to avoid a whitewash in the three-match series, could feel reasonably satisfied with their efforts towards the close of play.
Wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel was promoted to open the batting and the little left-hander batted brightly to score 16 off 15 balls before he was caught at gully off Vernon Philander from an inside edge which looped off his thigh pad.
Regular opener Lokesh Rahul joined Murali Vijay and saw India through to the close.
SCORES IN BRIEF
INDIA: First Innings 187
SOUTH AFRICA: First Innings 194 (Amla 61, Philander 35, Rabada 30; Bumrah 5-54, Kumar 3-44)
INDIA: Second Innings 49 for 1 (Vijay 13 not out, Rahul 16 not out; Philander 1-11)
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