Kolkata: India reached 138 for 4 at lunch on the second day of the opening Test against South Africa, but not without setbacks. Skipper Shubman Gill retired hurt after suffering a neck sprain while attempting a slog sweep, adding to the hosts’ concerns.
India now trail South Africa’s first-innings total of 159 by just 22 runs.
Rishabh Pant (27) provided a brief counterattack with a couple of sixes on a deteriorating surface before pacer Corbin Bosch dismissed him with a sharp bouncer.
Earlier, KL Rahul (39 off 119) and Washington Sundar (29 off 82) showed grit on a challenging pitch, putting together a 57-run stand. But neither managed to convert their starts—Washington fell to off-spinner Simon Harmer, while Rahul was caught at first slip off Keshav Maharaj after an attempted cut. Aiden Markram completed both catches.
Brief Scores:
South Africa 1st innings: 159
India 1st innings: 138/4 (KL Rahul 39, Washington Sundar 29, Rishabh Pant 27; Corbin Bosch 1/6, Keshav Maharaj 1/66, Simon Harmer 1/22)
