South Africa vs India 2018: 2nd Test Day 2: 5 things we learnt from the day

#2 Kohli-Vijay rebuild but South African pacers chip away with wickets at regular intervals

Rabada bowled with great intensity and was very consistent.

After India lost two wickets in two balls, they were in a spot of bother at 28/2. However, skipper Virat Kohli’s arrival at the crease calmed a few nerves as he looked solid.

Vijay who looked a touch iffy at the start had settled down well and was looking good as well. He looked assured and was also rotating the strike well. The Tamil Nadu opener was also driving well on both sides of the wicket.

However, half an hour into the third session, Vijay looked a little scratchy against Keshav Maharaj as the latter tightened the screws as he bowled 8 consecutive dot balls to the right-hander. Thus, it made Vijay do something different. He went back to a flatter delivery and looked to cut. But the extra bounce foxed him and he nicked off. He got out for 46 and South Africa managed to break a solid 79-run partnership.

After Vijay’s dismissal, South African pacers bowled well and managed to pick up wickets at regular intervals. The fact the almost every bowler got a wicket indicates that it was a very good all-around effort from the bowling unit.

Ngidi (the debutant) was pretty impressive. He bowled at a good speed and was very consistent with his line and length and was rewarded with the wicket of Parthiv Patel. Rabada was once again brilliant as he dismissed Rohit Sharma for the second time this series (both times LBW).

Hene, the Proteas fast bowlers were right on the money even on an unresponsive surface and their consistency helped them get wickets at regular intervals.