The China Mail - India close in on lead despite South African strikes

India were 138-4 at lunch on day two in response to South Africa's 159, still trailing by 21 at Kolkata's Eden Gardens.

The hosts resumed on 37-1 with overnight batters Rahul and Washington Sundar, who made 29, extending their partnership to 57 in a grinding first hour.

Ravindra Jadeja, on 11, and Dhruv Jurel, on five, were batting at the break after India lost three wickets in the morning session and skipper Shubman Gill retired hurt on four.

Returning Rishabh Pant hit a 24-ball 27 to boost India's total on a pitch with inconsistent bounce and more turn expected.

Rahul and the left-handed Sundar started the day cautiously but hit a few boundaries to push the scoring.

Sundar hit two fours and one six in his otherwise laboured knock before falling caught behind to Simon Harmer's off spin.

Gill walked out to loud cheers but his stay was limited to three balls as he swept Harmer for a four at backward square-leg and then held his neck in pain.

The physio soon arrived and Gill walked back to the pavilion.

Rahul kept up his hard work from day one when he made 13 off 59 balls and on day two looked more assured until his departure.

He was caught at slip by Aiden Markram off Keshav Maharaj.

Pant, a left-hand batter who is making his return after an injury, survived a reprieve on one when Markram missed a catch at first slip and he hit two fours and two sixes before being dismissed by Corbin Bosch.

Reigning world Test champions South Africa faltered after they elected to bat first and survived just 55 overs on day one with Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah returning figures of 5-27.

I.Taylor--ThChM--ThChM