Cricket-India on course for lead despite top-order wobble


  • Cricket
  • Saturday, 15 Nov 2025

KOLKATA, India (Reuters) -India overcame a top-order wobble to reach 138 for four and stay on course for a first-innings lead on day two of the opening test against South Africa on Saturday.

Home captain Shubman Gill retired hurt on four but is expected to bat later.

Ravindra Jadeja was batting on 11 at the lunch break with Dhruv Jurel on five, replying to South Africa's first innings total of 159.

Resuming on their overnight score of 37 for one, India looked determined to see through the opening hour.

Washington Sundar (29) hit Keshav Maharaj for a six but could not carry on and was caught at slip off Simon Harmer's bowling.

Gill opened his account with a four but immediately walked off the field with what appeard a neck strain.

Returning from a foot injury that kept him out of the home series against West Indies, Rishabh Pant (27) had the South Africa players on their toes right after he walked in.

Pant was surprised by a leaping Maharaj delivery, which he guided towards slip where Aiden Markram was too startled to react in time and take the catch.

Pant rubbed salt into Maharaj's wound by stepping out to the next ball and hitting it for a six over mid-off.

The spinner found some solace when he had KL Rahul (39) caught at slip but Pant scored freely.

Corbin Bosch brought relief to the South Africa camp when he dismissed Pant caught behind with a bouncer.

(Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty; Editing by Tom Hogue)

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Cricket

Cricket-Australia captain Healy to retire after upcoming India series
Cricket-India's Sundar ruled out of NZ ODI series with injury ahead of T20 World Cup
Cricket-At 37, Kohli reinvents himself to extend ODI dominance
Cricket-India beat New Zealand in first ODI as Kohli misses out on ton
Cricket-India's Pant ruled out of New Zealand ODI series
Cricket-India captain Gill targets New Zealand ODI series after injury woes
Cricket-Bangladesh players act normal despite controversies, says Shanto
Cricket-Australia's Head to skip Big Bash to prepare for T20 World Cup
Cricket-Head, Smith earn praise as Australian media revel in Ashes win
Cricket-India's Varma out for three weeks after surgery for groin issue

Others Also Read