Centurion, Jan 14: Skipper Virat Kohli scored a fighting 85 to keep India afloat on the day two of the second cricket Test against South Africa, here today.
Kohli held together India’s innings with a classy unbeaten 85 which came off 130 balls and was studded with eight boundaries.
Hardik Pandya (11 not out) was giving Kohli company at the crease as India reached 183 for five in 61 overs in their first innings at stumps in reply to South Africa’s 335 all out.
The duo added 19 runs for the unbeaten sixth wicket.
The visitors, who are down 0-1 in the three-match series, still trail South Africa by another 152 runs.
Barring Kohli, opener Murali Vijay scored a gritty 46 off 126 balls before being dismissed by left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj.
When rest of the Indian batsmen looked in little discomfort against the South African bowling attack, Kohli was at his positive best as he played his drives and pulls with consummate ease from the onset.
Kohli, who faced flak because of lack of runs in the first Test and his selection decisions in the ongoing match, paced his innings to perfection and attacked the Protea bowlers when opportunity came his way.
Together with Vijay, Kohli added 79 runs for the third wicket as India crossed 100 in the 33rd over.
But South Africa got the breakthrough soon when Vijay was caught behind off Maharaj (1/53).
Kohli, meanwhile, scored his 16th Test half-century off 68 balls and was inclusive of seven boundaries.
The skipper also added 25 runs with Rohit Sharma (10) for the fourth wicket.
But Rohit once again fell cheaply, out lbw to Kagiso Rabada (1/33). The batsman went for review but was given out on umpire’s call with the ball clipping the top of middle stump.(PTI)
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