Pune:Virat Kohli's career-best 254 not out and Ravindra Jadeja's 91 left South Africa struggling at 36 for three at stumps on the second day of the second Test match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, here on Friday.
In reply to India's mammoth first innings total of 601 for 5 declared, South Africa were still trailing by 565 runs as Theunis de Bruyn (20) and Anrich Nortje (2) were at the crease, at the end of Day 2.
Earlier, resuming at 273 for 3 on Day 2, Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane looked in great touch and continued to grind South African bowlers, by playing some lovely shots Before lunch, Virat Kohli raced to his 26th Test hundred and first of 2019, while Rahane also completed his half-century.
Soon after lunch, India lost Rahane for 59, however it didn't affect Kohli much, who switched gears to score his 9th 150 plus score, as Test captain.After Rahane's wicket, India promoted Ravindra Jadeja ahead of Wriddhiman Saha, in order to score quickly.
Jadeja was cautious to start, but a well-settled Kohli was unstoppable. He hit his 7th double hundred and moved past Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar in the list of most double century makers in Test cricket.
Meanwhile, captain Kohli also got a second life. Left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy had Kohli caught at slip by Faf du Plessis, but replays showed it was a no-ball.After that, Kohli made the most of his second chance and became only the 5th Indian after VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag, Rahul Dravid and Karun Nair to score 250 plus in Test cricket.
India waited for Ravindra Jadeja who was batting freely, to get to his 100 but in an attempt to score quick runs, he fell for 91. After Jadeja's wicket India declared the innings leaving South Africa to face tough overs towards the end of the second day.
Pacer Umesh Yadav , who was playing the Test cricket after a long time, strucked in his first two overs to remove South Africa openers Aiden Markram and Dean Elgar while Mohammed Shami got rid of Temba Bavuma.Proteas will have a mountain to climb on Day 3, who had hoped for an improved performance, after a heavy defeat in Vizag.
Brief Scores:
India 1st innings: 601 for five in 156.3 (Virat Kohli not out 254; Kagiso Rabada 3/93).
South Africa 1st innings: 36 for 3 in 15 overs.(UNI)
