The second day of the Kolkata Test between India and South Africa delivered plenty of excitement. With wickets tumbling one after another, it seemed as if the match could end in just two days. While that did not happen, the Test appears on track to finish in three days, and South African captain Temba Bavuma will need a miracle from his tail-enders on the fourth day to avoid defeat.
South Africa ended day two at 93 for 7 in their second innings, with Bavuma unbeaten on 29. They lead India’s first innings by 63 runs. A loss here would mean Bavuma suffers his first defeat as captain in just his 11th match.
India began the day at 37 for 1. After an initial session yielding 138 runs for 4 wickets, India were all out for 189 in the second session. Opener Lokesh Rahul top-scored with 39, while Washington Sundar contributed 29 in a 57-run second-wicket partnership. Rishabh Pant added 27, as did Ravindra Jadeja. Shubman Gill, injured after scoring 4, was forced to leave the field.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant struck two sixes off 24 balls, breaking the record for most sixes by an Indian in Test cricket. Pant now has 92 sixes in just 83 innings, surpassing the joint record previously held with Virender Sehwag, who took 178 innings to reach 90 sixes.
Most Sixes by Indian Test Batsmen
| Batsman | Sixes | Innings |
|---|---|---|
| Rishabh Pant | 92 | 83 |
| Virender Sehwag | 90 | 178 |
| Rohit Sharma | 88 | 116 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 80 | 130 |
| MS Dhoni | 78 | 144 |
World Record:
Ben Stokes holds the record for most sixes in Test cricket with 136 in 206 innings. Brendon McCullum is second with 107. Pant ranks seventh across all nations.
Score Summary (End of Day Three)
| Team | Innings | Score/Overs | Top Runs | Top Bowlers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | 1st | 159 | – | – |
| South Africa | 2nd | 93/7 (35 overs) | Bavuma 29*, Jansen 13 | Jadeja 4/29, Kuldeep 2/12 |
| India | 1st | 189 (62.2 overs) | Rahul 39, Sundar 29, Pant 27, Jadeja 27 | Harmer 4/30, Jansen 3/35 |
