 | « Back to article | Print this article |
Pujara, Kohli put India in command on Day 3
Cheteshwar Pujara punished South Africa's wilting bowling attack with a sparkling 135 not out as he and Virat Kohli helped India take complete control of the first Test at the Wanderers on Friday.
A third-wicket stand of 191 between Pujara and Kohli (77 not out) lifted India to 284 for two in their second innings at the close of play, a commanding lead of 320 on a pitch that still has plenty to offer the bowlers.
South Africa's cause has not been helped by a grade one ankle ligament strain to Morne Morkel that has robbed them of one of their main strike weapons and makes him a serious doubt for the second Test in Durban starting on Boxing Day.
Zaheer Khan picked up four for 88
Earlier, Zaheer Khan (4-88) took three of the remaining four wickets as South Africa could add only 31 runs to their overnight score of 213 for six.
Zaheer now has 299 wickets in Test matches and will need only one more to become the fourth Indian bowler after Kapil Dev, Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh to enter the '300-club'.
Ishant Sharma also picked up a wicket to end up with impressive figures of four for 79.
Philader made 59
Vernon Philander (59) and Faf du Plessis (20) started over their 67-run partnership, looking to extend India's time on the field.
Philander started the day with a boundary off the first ball, driving him through the covers and bringing up his 50.
But he couldn't go on for long, edging Zaheer to first slip to Ashwin. Zaheer also accounted for Du Plessis before finishing the innings off by cleaning up Morne Morkel.
Philander bettered Steyn's record
Shikhar Dhawan (15) failed for a second time in the match as he became Vernon Philander's 100th Test wicket edging one to Jacques Kallis in the slip cordon. Philander went one better of countryman Dale Steyn, who reached his milestone in 20 Tests.
However Murali Vijay (39) was more watchful in the second innings as he was involved in a 70-run stand with Pujara.
After his dismissal, Pujara and Kohli joined forces and ensured India ended the day on a strong note.
The 25-year-old Pujara notched up his sixth Test century while the in-form Virat Kohli is looking good for another big score as he is batting on 77.
For Pujara, this was his first Test century away from home and his sequence of scores in the last four first-class matches (including this one) reads 113 (vs West Indies), 102, 9, 269 (in Ranji Trophy) and 135 batting in this game.