1st Test: India Close in on Lead Against South Africa Despite Losing Three Morning Wickets

Kolkata — India moved within touching distance of taking the lead against South Africa in the first Test at Eden Gardens, even as they lost three wickets during a tense morning session on day two.

The hosts added 101 runs in the session but were dented by key dismissals and an injury setback when captain Shubman Gill retired hurt with a sudden neck spasm. India began cautiously, scoring 38 runs in the first hour without losing a wicket, before accelerating in the second hour to add 63 runs, though at the cost of three wickets.

KL Rahul and Washington Sundar handled the tricky conditions well early on. Rahul struck boundaries off Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen, becoming the 18th Indian to reach 4000 Test runs, while Sundar looked composed, clipping Jansen for four before sweeping and lofting Maharaj for a boundary and a six.

South Africa’s decision to introduce Simon Harmer paid off when he produced sharp turn to remove Sundar, who edged to slip. Gill played one stylish sweep for four off Harmer before retiring hurt moments later. Rahul attempted to counterattack, stepping out to hit Maharaj for six.

Rishabh Pant, making his international comeback after a fractured foot in July, had an eventful stay. He was dropped by Aiden Markram at slip, edged Harmer for four, and then launched Maharaj over long-off for a six. Maharaj eventually struck back, having Rahul caught at slip for 39. Pant, however, continued his assault, smashing another six over long-on to surpass Virender Sehwag’s record for the most Test sixes by an Indian.

Just before lunch, Pant miscued an attempted pull off Corbin Bosch and was caught behind. Dhruv Jurel and Ravindra Jadeja safely negotiated the remaining balls as an intense first session set up a potentially lively afternoon.

Brief Scores:
South Africa 159 (Aiden Markram 31; Jasprit Bumrah 5-27) lead India 138/4 in 45 overs (KL Rahul 39, Washington Sundar 29; Corbin Bosch 1-6, Simon Harmer 1-22) by 21 runs.

With inputs from IANS