Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma and Tristan Stubbs led South Africa’s fightback in the second session on day one of the second Test against India at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati.
The Proteas lost opening batter Aiden Markram (38) in the last over of the first session, and Ryan Rickelton (35) at the start of the second session. Rickelton was caught behind by wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant off the bowling of wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, handing the spinner his first wicket of the day and India’s second.
However, the two batters’ 82-run opening stand demonstrated that the wicket at the ACA Stadium, unlike the surface at Eden Gardens in Kolkata last week, had no demons whatsoever and that there were rewards for batters who were able to stay patient.
With the blueprint laid by Markram and Rickelton, Bavuma and Stubbs followed suit, rotating the strike consistently while keeping a careful watch as the strong India bowling attack kept running in.
The two batters ensured that they put the bad balls away, with Bavuma striking four boundaries in his 86-ball unbeaten 36, while Stubbs smashed two fours and one six in his 32 off 81 deliveries in the second session.
The pair put together a 74-run partnership for the third wicket and guided South Africa to lunch with the score on 156/2.
Going into the evening session, Bavuma and Stubbs will look to continue building a strong foundation for the middle order and make full use of the conditions. With the ball already starting to show reverse swing in Guwahati, the batters will have their work cut out as Jasprit Bumrah (1/17) and Mohammed Siraj (0/30) will be charging in.
Scorecard at lunch on the first day:
South Africa: 156/2 (Temba Bavuma 35 not out, Tristan Stubbs 32 not out; Jasprit Bumrah 1/17, Kuldeep Yadav 1/27)
