India must score 79 to triumph following Markram’s century and Bumrah’s six-fer.

Aiden Markram’s elegant century (106 off 103) supported South Africa on the second morning of the second Test at Cape Town on Thursday (January 4). However, Jasprit Bumrah’s charge towards a series-leveling victory was spearheaded by Bumrah (6/61). The visitors require 79 runs to secure victory following the lunch interval, as South Africa were dismissed for 176 runs.

Due to the frantic character of the morning session, more than a hundred runs were scored, with Markram, unsurprisingly, contributing the most, while seven wickets were lost in the process.

It was evident that South Africa’s batsmen would not tolerate the fiery surface when play resumed at 62/3. After enduring a catastrophic first innings and observing the subsequent strategy adopted by India’s batsmen, it appeared to be the more prudent course of action. Nonetheless, there were inherent dangers associated with the pacers extracting so much from the surface. Today, Bumrah, who was merely required to provide support during the first innings, assumed his customary leadership position with a fiery spell of fast bowling. Despite Markram reaching a certain level of consistency, he began to experience a dearth of viable companions.

David Bedingham was dismissed without delay by Bumrah, whereas Tristan Stubbs endured a dreadful period of time at the crease before succumbing to a behind-the-pitcher delivery. Although Marco Jansen did manage to clear the fence twice, Bumrah had the last chuckle once more. Keshav Maharaj, too, was short-lived. With a margin of less than two digits at 111/7, India would have liked to have completed the match before noon. Markram, however, changed the pace and, having nothing to lose, elected to challenge the Indian bowlers. Although Bumrah also faced criticism, Prasidh Krishna was subjected to the most severe treatment, conceding two sixes in a single over.

Kagiso Rabada managed to maintain his composure at the opposing end while Markram scored an astounding century. Despite the perilous nature of the pitch, South Africa managed to avert some degree of disgrace and have provided themselves with a semblance of a chance thanks to the invaluable 51-run stand.

Markram was eventually dismissed by Mohammed Siraj for taking one too many shots, and the remainder of the innings was swiftly wiped up.

India is in a position to tie the series at 1-1 with a modest target, but as we saw in South Africa’s opening innings, this surface is prone to peculiarities.