Johannesburg, First Published Jan 4, 2022, 5:23 PM IST
Johannesburg: Controversy over Rishabh Pant’s catch off Rassie van der Dussen off Shardul Thakur on the second day of the second Test against South Africa vs India at Wanderers. On the second day, just before the launch, Van der Dawson was out in Thakur’s over. Rishabh hit the ball with his pad and bat behind the wicket. Van der Dawson was able to score only one run off 17 balls. Immediately after the appeal, field umpire Murray Erasmus ruled out and Wander Dawson left the crease.
However, in later replays, Rishabh saw the ball fall to the ground before being caught. Replays show the ball hitting the ground in the front view and Rishabh hitting the ball straight into the side view. Then during lunch break, South African captain Dean Elgar and the team manager went to the umpires’ room and talked. However, the third umpire decided to keep the on-field umpire’s decision as it was not clear whether the ball had hit the ground. This put an end to the fear of Van Durdsson batting again after lunch.
If it was clear the ball had hit the ground, the third umpire would have given fielding captain KL Rahul a chance to recall Van der Dasson. Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who was in the commentary box, said the field umpire’s decision was correct as it was not clear whether the ball had hit the ground.
South Africa, who had earlier reached the crease on the second day at 35 for one, were 1010-4 at lunch. Shardul Thakur took three wickets for 8 runs in 4.5 overs.
Dean Elgar (11) and Keegan Peterson (14) were at the crease when the game resumed today. It started well but South Africa lost Elgar first. Shardul Thakur, who scored 28 off 120 balls, was caught by Rishabh behind the wicket. After a half-century, Keegan Peterson (62) was caught by Mayank on a Thakur slip. Thakur also knocked off fourth-ranked Razi van der Desson (1). Shami had sacked Aiden Markram (7) yesterday.
India won the toss and elected to bat. They were bowled out for 202 in the first innings. KL Rahul was the top scorer with 50 runs. R Ashwin, who came in seventh, scored 46 off 50 balls. Mayank Agarwal (28), Hanuma Vihari (20), Rishabh Pant (17), Shardul Thakur (0), Mohammad Shami (9), Jaspreet Bumra (14) and Mohammad Siraj (1) were the other scorers.
India won the first Test and are 1-0 up in the series. If they win at Wanderers, Team India will be able to build a Test series in South Africa for the first time in history.
Last Updated Jan 4, 2022 5:23 PM IST
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