2nd Test: Rahane, Pujara flop present continues as Indian middle-order disappoints once more

Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane’s saga of failures compounded a shoddy batting efficiency by India whilst stand-in skipper KL Rahul impressed with a defiant present amid the ruins on the opening day of the second Test towards South Africa right here on Monday.
Rahul’s affected person 50-run knock on a day when India missed Virat Kohli on account of again spasms and Ravichandran Ashwin’s cavalier 46 on the rear finish ensured that India scored 202 of their first innings on a bouncy Wanderers monitor.
At stumps, Mohammed Shami despatched again Aiden Markram whilst Dean Elgar (11 batting) and Keegan Peterson (14 batting) took South Africa to 35 for 1. It may have been two down had Rishabh Pant snapped Peterson off Jasprit Bumrah, which appeared a regulation catch.

STUMPS on Day 1 of the 2nd Test.
South Africa 35/1, path #WorkforceIndia 202 by 167 runs.
Scorecard – https://t.co/qcQcovZ41s #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/FAaPxWSwgZ
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2022
Worse, Mohammed Siraj hobbled off with what seemed like a hamstring pressure and if it’s dangerous information, then India can be left with 4 bowlers.
However, a number of blame ought to go to India’s batters as some like Pujara didn’t present intent to attain whereas others like Rahane appeared fully in need of confidence.
It prompted the legendary Sunil Gavaskar to say it as it’s on air, “I think the next innings will be their last chance.”
Having given up hopes to play for England, Duanne Olivier (3/67 in 17 overs), taking part in his first sport for South Africa in three years, dismissed Pujara (3 off 33 balls) and Rahane (0) off successive deliveries to make it tough for the Indians.

Innings Break!
That’s the top of #WorkforceIndia‘s innings as they’re all out for 202 (KL Rahul 50, Ashwin 46).
Scorecard – https://t.co/qcQcovZ41s #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/0Zix4VrBAp
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2022
Marco Jansen (4/31 in 17 overs), together with his large body, created awkward lengths for each Indian batter whereas Kagiso Rabada (3/64 in 17.1 overs), regardless of not being at his finest, obtained wickets when it mattered.
In his first sport as captain, Rahul concentrated exhausting as he performed 133 deliveries. He was peppered with quick balls. He would sway to some and duck the others whereas pulling those that he may.
His back-foot driving was majestic and he rode the bounce whereas going for the flashy minimize photographs.
Such is fantastic thing about sport that Rahul, who until 5 months in the past wasn’t supposed to start out as an opener in England, is now being groomed as an all-format India captain.

FIFTY!
A gritty half-century from @klrahul11 👌👌
This is his thirteenth in Tests.
LIVE – https://t.co/TIfO06B6x8 #SAvIND pic.twitter.com/jGya9EeTQl
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 3, 2022
If the primary day composure is any indication, he received’t do a foul job.
But then there was a second’s indiscretion when he performed one pull shot too many and holed out within the fantastic leg area.
Prior to that shot, the occasional pull that he performed, Rahul rolled his bat over and tried to maintain it down the bottom however on this case, he obtained underneath the Jansen quick ball and didn’t get the required elevation.
He had a pleasant little partnership of 42 runs with Hanuma Vihari (20) earlier than an inspirational close-in catch from Rassie Van der Dussen at quick leg despatched the latter again.

When Lions hyperlink up. 🤩#ThePrideOfJozi #LionsCricket https://t.co/0pA8PWF5Uk
— Imperial Lions (@LionsCricketSA) January 3, 2022
Rishabh Pant (17) and an attacking Ashwin (24 batting 21 balls) added 40 in fast time however what India wanted was a partnership of not less than 75 if not 100.
At the beginning, Mayank Agarwal (26) seemed fluent within the first hour with 5 boundaries earlier than Jansen pitched one within the spot from the place it wasn’t on drivable size because it climbed on. The opener went for a drive solely to edge that to wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne.
Rahul, on his half, survived sturdy caught behind and leg earlier than appeals which have been negated by debutant umpire Allahudien Palekar, somebody who impressed on debut.
But what would disappoint Pujara and Rahane most is that on a day when they need to have taken extra accountability in Kohli’s absence, they couldn’t even inject a way of positivity in India’s method.

The method through which Pujara hopped and skipped to rising deliveries really would have made the dressing room really feel jittery about demons within the pitch which wasn’t the case. But there was positively seam and bounce which one expects right here in South Africa.
He as soon as once more obtained right into a shell and was very uncomfortable towards steep bounce which lastly turned his undoing.
Olivier’s pure again of size deliveries have been excellent recipe for catastrophe as he fended one which was large of the quick leg fielder however the subsequent one lobbed as much as the person at level for a straightforward catch.
Rahane’s dismissal was that of a participant, whose confidence has been torn to items.
The ball pitched on the fourth stump channel, created indecision on whether or not to play or not and Rahane dangled his bat for the catch to be taken within the slips.
This match will definitely not final the space and if they’ll’t make a distinction within the second innings, the big endurance that the Indian crew administration has proven in the direction of them will certainly begin sporting skinny.