2nd Test: Bumrah Strikes Before Tea as South Africa Reach 82/1

Guwahati- Jasprit Bumrah delivered a crucial breakthrough for India by removing Aiden Markram moments before the tea break, as South Africa reached 82/1 in 26.5 overs on the second day of the 2nd Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

Bumrah had created a chance earlier in the first session, but KL Rahul dropped a sharp catch at slip when Markram was on four. The South African opener seemed to settle in well afterward, but his stay ended when he chopped a delivery onto his stumps in the final over before the 20-minute interval.

Until that dismissal, Markram and Ryan Rickelton appeared largely comfortable at the crease. With India having worked hard throughout the opening session, the team will now look to build on Bumrah’s breakthrough and gain momentum in the second session.

Earlier in the morning, after opting to bat first on a fresh red-soil surface, Markram and Rickelton gave South Africa a steady start against Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. The Indian pacers extracted swing and decent carry, though two sets of byes were recorded against wicketkeeper-captain Rishabh Pant.

The atmosphere at India’s newest Test venue was subdued due to sparse attendance—quite a contrast to the packed stands at Eden Gardens last week. Still, Bumrah and Siraj kept the openers cautious. Markram eventually got going with a crisp boundary off Bumrah and later survived the dropped chance by Rahul.

Siraj, bowling slightly too full and wide, allowed both batters to pick up boundaries as South Africa moved to 34/0 at the first drinks break. Nitish Kumar Reddy struggled with his lines, drifting onto the pads and conceding easy runs, while spinners Kuldeep Yadav and Washington Sundar extracted turn and bounce but were also taken for streaky boundaries by Rickelton.

Captain Pant’s decision to reintroduce Bumrah late in the session proved spot-on. The pacer struck almost immediately, sending back Markram and prompting a relieved smile from Rahul, who had earlier put him down.

Brief Scores: South Africa 82/1 in 26.5 overs (Aiden Markram 38, Ryan Rickelton 35*; Jasprit Bumrah 1/7) vs India.

WIth inputs from IANS