The fast bowlers of the Indian team have pushed South Africa on the back foot on their home ground. Captain Deal Elgar is fighting the battle alone. And the distance between victory and India is just six wickets. South Africa chased down a target of 305 runs for victory at SuperSports Park, Centurion. And by the end of the fourth day’s play, his score is 94 runs for four wickets.
A comeback is difficult for South Africa. The wicket is not easy to bat. There is uneven bounce on the pitch. Jasprit Bumrah is bowling especially amazing. His length is amazing and the line is accurate. Along with this, Mohammed Shami and Mohammad Siraj are also using the length properly. At the end of the day, a bouncy ball from Shardul Thakur troubled Elgar a bit but he somehow managed himself.
Rosie van der Dusan was playing with restraint. His defense was good. It seemed that he would give good support to the captain. But one lapse and the end of the innings. He starts dropping a ball from Jasprit Bumrah. The ball comes in by length outside the off-stump. The ball went through the off-stump. He returned to the pavilion after scoring 11 runs. Keshav Maharaj was playing carefully as Night Watchman. But Bumrah bowled in the last over. It also proved to be the last ball of the day. Dean Elgar remained unbeaten on 52.
Elgar looked different from the rest of the batsmen. When the fast bowlers missed the line, Elgar took full advantage of them. He would also drive and flick. He also completed his half-century on one such shot.
Shami, who took five wickets in the first innings, opened the account for the Indian team in the second innings. Edin Markram got chances on his first two balls. But in the end he achieved success by doing bold.
Keegan Peterson tried to build a partnership with Elgar. He also played strokes on Shami’s balls. But Mohammad Siraj ended this partnership after taking charge of the bowling. He set up the batsman by throwing a few inswings and then an out swing dismissed Pietersen. The ball took the outer edge of Pietersen’s bat and Rishabh Pant caught it in the gloves.
Elgar then briefly joined Van der Dusan. There was a 40-run partnership between the two for the third wicket. At the end of the day, Bumrah derailed South Africa’s innings with two close blows.
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