After close to six weeks in India, South Africa are feeling the pressure for the first time. All the good work in the Twenty20 Internationals and the ODIs was undone in three dramatic days as South Africa lost the first Test in Mohali by 108 runs. Will India unleash their spin demons again at Bangalore? Follow Live scores and updates.
17:00 hrs IST: STUMPS! And that's the end of Day 1 with India dominating almost all the sessions after winning the toss. Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin picked up figures of 4-50 and 4-70 respectively to dismiss South Africa for 214. Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay then put on an unbeaten 80-runs stand to put India in a commanding position at the end of day's play.
The hosts trail South Africa by 134 runs and would be hoping to gain sizeable lead on Day 2. Â Â
16:45 hrs IST: Shikhar Dhawan's return to form should please Team India for two reasons. One it's the first half-century or more runs stand India's openers in eight Test innings. Dhawan is closing in on a half-century and would love to go back to the pavilion at the end of the day with a half-century under his belt.Â
16:33 hrs IST:Â DROPPED! Morne Morkel had a golden chance to break the partnership but Imran Tahir couldn't hang on to a simple catch at square leg. Morkel digged one short to Murali Vijay, who mis-timed one straight to catchable height to Tahir only for the leg-spinner to drop it off second attempt.Â
16:28 hrs IST:Â First sign of spin from South Africa introduce Jean-Paul Duminy. Shikhar Dhawan can't believe his luck as he puts a long hop towards midwicket boundary. Duminy compensates it by bowling one outside off-stump and Dhawan just uses the pace of the bowler to hit one to second boundary off the over.Â
16:25 hrs IST: Morne Morkel is brought back into the attack and you can see he is clearly struggling. He has bowled three no-balls in four overs so far and has also sprayed the ball around and hasn't attacked the batsmen like say Vernon Philander or Dale Steyn did in Mohali.
16:15 hrs IST:Â Half-century stand for India. It's an achievement of sorts for Team India Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay have put on their half-century stand of the series. The difference between the Mohali Test and this Test is clearly visible as Dhawan has left the ball more frequently. Besides the ball the coming on to the bat much better at the Chinnaswamy pitch.
16:05 hrs IST: South African pacers are working on a plan here it seems. Kyle Abbot who is given an extended spell is looking to target Shikhar Dhawan's body, but the Indian opener has been smart by swaying away from the line of the ball. Abbot tries to york Dhawan, but the southpaw clips off his pads for a boundary towards fine-leg.
15:50 hrs IST: South African pacers are looking tired already. Kyle Abbot in his fifth over but nothing seems to be happening off the deck. Â
15:42 hrs IST: Kagiso Rabada replaces Morne Morkel who had a short spell of three overs. Shikhar Dhawan times one through covers for a boundary -- his second. With the pitch not doing as much as it was doing in the morning, the pacers, it seems are struggling to generate pace off the wicket. Is it time that Hashim Amla considers either JP Duminy or Imran Tahir? Â
15:35 hrs IST:Â Its STUMPS at Perth with New Zealand at 140-2 in reply to Australia's 559/9 decl. Kane Williamson has been the steadying influence for Kiwis after they lost Martin Guptill early. He scored his third consecutive half-century in succession and is getting good support from Ross Taylor who is on 26. New Zealand, however, still trail Australia by 419 runs.Â
15:30 hrs IST:Â Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay are off to a positive start here at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. The ball isn't doing much on a placid track and couple of crisp drives have ensured that Indians have raced on to 22-0 after 5 overs.
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15:21 hrs IST:Â Shikhar Dhawan is finally off the mark with a flick off his pads off the second over of Morne Morkel. Dhawan had bagged a pair in the first Test in Mohali, where Vernon Philander had him caught in slips twice.
15:15 hrs IST: Indian innings has started -- this time it's Murali Vijay who will take strike against Morne Morkel. Vijay gets off the mark with a beautiful drive straight past the bowler for a boundary. Â Â Â Â Â
15:00 hrs IST: And its over at Chinnaswamy! Half an hour after Tea, India polished off the tail quickly as South Africa were dismissed for 214. Kyle Abbot was the last man to go as he was run our for 14. A typical yes-no situation between tailenders saw Abbot stranded in the middle of the pitch as Shikhar Dhawan throw was right on its mark. Wriddhaman Saha completed the formalities by whipping off the bails. South Africa innings barely lasted for 59 overs. Kyle Abbot run out 14 Â Â Â
14:50 hrs IST: WICKET! Ravichandran Ashwin finally manages to get the breakthrough for India as he packs off Morne Morkel. Morkel played played a handy 20-ball 22, before he lobbed one to Stuart Binny, who took a good diving catch. Morne Morkel c Stuart Binny b Ravichandran Ashwin.
14:53 hrs IST:Â Meanwhile at Perth, Kane Williamson completed his 17th half-century with a boundary off Mitchell Johnson as New Zealand were 111/2 in reply to Australia's mammoth 559/9 decl. This is Williamsons' third fifty plus score in succession.Â
14:50 hrs IST: Kyle Abbot and Morne Morkel are frustrating India in the middle with a crucial knock. The partnership is already worth 28 and the hosts would ideally want to wrap up the innings as soon as possible. Morkel is looking the most comfortable of the two batsmen as he flicks Ashwin for a boundary towards midwicket to race to 19 off just 16 balls.
14:31 hrs IST: Welcome back after the Tea Break. Ravindra Jadeja strikes immediately. Kagiso Rabada could only keep out one ball. He was sent back to the pavillion off the second ball as he inside edged one to Cheteshwar Pujara at short leg for nought. Kagiso Rabada c Cheteshwar Pujara and b Ravindra Jadeja 15 (32).
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14:10 hrs IST: What drama before Tea. AB de Villiers comes down the track and the ball apparently takes the inside edge, it lobs to short leg and Saha runs to his left and dives forward to take the catch, Jadeja is over the moon and hugs Saha but umpire Kettleborough tells him to wait. The replays confirm that Saha just got it above the turf and de Villiers goes for 85. The crowd in Bangalore give Ab de Villiers a rousing cheer as he goes for 85. South Africa are 177/7 and India are well on top.
14:01 hrs IST: South Africa are hanging on for the tea break which is a short while away. De Villiers is punishing the loose balls while Abbott is just hanging in. South Africa 170/6 and all hopes rest on de Villiers.
13:52 hrs IST: Ishant Sharma repeatedly beats the edge of Kyle Abbott as he looks to hang in there. The tail have a huge task on hand if they are to help AB de Villiers get to his century.
13:42 hrs IST: WICKET! Another wasted wicket and South Africa are sinking. Dane Vilas c and b Jadeja 15 (32).
Vilas comes down the track but Jadeja loops this delivery slightly, the batsman is completely beaten in the flight and he scoops it back to the bowler. South Africa continue to gift wickets away to India.
13:31 hrs IST: With each blow, de Villiers is looking in fine touch. He employs the sweep to counter Jadeja as South Africa stay afloat. Over in Perth, Kane Williamson has steadied New Zealand as they look to take the fight to Australia.
13:22 hrs IST: AB de Villiers has gone past 1000 runs in Tests against India. He is looking in grand touch. Can he achieve something special on his 100th Test?
13:13 hrs IST:Â A loud, vehement appeal for a catch but umpire Ian Gould is unmoved. Dane Vilas looked to work it to the leg side but gets an edge. The umpire does not spot it and Vilas survives.
13:07 hrs IST: What class, what mastery from AB de Villiers. He notches up his 38th fifty and his second of the series. The reception that he got when he reached the landmark makes one wonder whether he is playing in his home ground or in Chinnaswamy. People in Bangalore really love him.
12:59 hrs IST: WICKET! Awesome stuff from Ashwin. He breaks the dangerous 42-run stand. Duminy c Rahane b Ashwin 15 (39).
This delivery spins away sharply and bounces a bit more, Duminy stabs it and the edge flies low to slip where Rahane, who has bucket like hands, takes a good catch. Duminy is absolutely gutted as he walks off while de Villiers grimaces in disappointment. South Africa 120/5 and in deep trouble.
12:50 hrs IST: India are losing the initiative after the wicket of Elgar. The line has been indisciplined and de Villiers, along with Duminy, are making easy progress. South Africa have moved to 113/4 in quick time.
12:42 hrs IST: Two consecutive fours off Varun Aaron and de Villiers is looking in sublime touch. Oh, India should have played Amit Mishra in the match. In Mohali, he got him out twice.
12:34 hrs IST: AB de Villiers in full flow now. Unfurls a magnificent straight drive and the ball purrs away to the long-off fence. Ishant Sharma is having some issues with no-balls as well. All happening, he nearly pulls off a caught and bowled catch of de Villiers but the ball just lands in front.
12:29 hrs IST: Jadeja is troubling de Villiers with his accuracy and his spin. Just a couple of deliveries ago, he managed to get an edge off de Villiers but the ball landed just in front of slip.
12:21 hrs IST: Such is the popularity of de Villiers in a country like India. He is in the opposition but when he cracked Jadeja for a boundary, the crowd erupted.
12:15 hrs IST: JP Duminy, who missed the first Test due to a hand injury, is treated to some testing deliveries from Jadeja as he survives. The pressure is well and truly on South Africa. While the Proteas have lost a wicket immediately after lunch, New Zealand have lost Martin Guptill cheaply after Australia declared on 559/9 in Perth.
12:13 hrs IST: What a poor shot to attempt in the first over after lunch. Dean Elgar's curse of 38 strikes again. Elgar b Ravindra Jadeja 38 (81).
Elgar moves to the off side and attempts a slog sweep to mid wicket, however, the ball spins back in and brushes the glove, it rolls back onto the stumps and Elgar is gutted. In Mohali, he fell for 38 to a poor stroke and he has fallen again on the same score.
12:08 hrs IST: Welcome back for the second session. The crowd has built up and it is an uphill task for South Africa. AB de Villiers holds the key and with the batting lacking experience at the death, the onus is on him and Elgar to salvage the situation.
11:30 hrs IST: That will be lunch on day one and India hold the upper hand. AB de Villiers and Dean Elgar have steadied the ship after the top order were once again undone by R Ashwin's brilliance. Varun Aaron chipped in with the wicket of Hashim Amla. South Africa are 78/3 and they have plenty of work to do.
11:21 hrs IST: Just in: Gurkeerat Singh, Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar released from the Indian team. They will play Ranji Trophy for their respective states. Meanwhile in Perth, Australia have motored to 539/6
11:13 hrs IST: While the action is unfurling in Bangalore, let us take a moment and recount a terrible tragedy in Paris. Multiple terror attacks have left 120 people dead in Paris with several scores injured. During a football friendly at the State de France between France and Germany, a bomb exploded outside the stadium. Although there were no injuries, fans rushed onto the pitch but the match was played to the finish with France winning 2-0. Here is a video of the incident: Credit: Koke_officiel
11:06 hrs IST: It was a moment to cherish for AB de Villiers and his family when he strode out to the middle. His wife and family were overwhelmed with the reception and the occasion. South Africa will be praying for a De Villiers special today.
10:59 hrs IST: Loud chants of AB, AB reverberate around the Chinnaswamy stadium as AB de Villiers strides out for his 100th Test. He gets off the mark in style as well, with a five. This has to be a first.
10:54 hrs IST: At the other end, Ashwin continues to weave his magic. He gets one delivery to spin away sharply and beats Elgar all ends up. In the next over, Aaron bowls a rip-snorting bouncer that pings Elgar flush on the helmet. One can sense another wicket for India.
10:52 hrs IST: That is a top ball from Varun Aaron. If Bill Lawry were commentating here, he would have screamed, "KNOCKED HIM OVERRR". Hashim Amla b Varun Aaron 7 (18).
Brilliant ball from Aaron. He angles this delivery in at over 140 kmph and Amla looks to play through the line. However, the ball straightens at the last moment and the off stump goes cartwheeling. Amla's poor tour continues.
10:43 hrs IST: Elgar looking to be positive against Ashwin. He dances down the track and launches him straight down the ground for a big six. South Africa need more such hits. At the other end, Varun Aaron is posing less problems.
10:36 hrs IST: Ashwin almost lures Elgar into a fall stroke. The bowler generously flights this delivery and the batsman drags the slog sweep to deep midwicket. In Mohali, Elgar had attempted a similar shot and he miscued it totally. Ashwin was quick to tell him as he left that it was not the right shot to be played. In the fifth ball, Elgar gets an inside edge that just misses the stumps. This is wonderful stuff from Ashwin.
10:32 hrs IST: Drinks have been taken in Bangalore. However, during the break, Elgar was getting some treatment for cramps. South Africa will be hoping that it is not too serious.
10:25 hrs IST: Good start for Varun Aaron. He hits the perfect length and bowls in the high 130 kmph range as he beats Elgar outside off. However, his indiscipline creeps up again as he bowls a half-volley on Elgar's pads and he clips it to deep square leg for a boundary.
10:14 hrs IST: Double strike from Ashwin! This is brilliant bowling and magnificent bowling. In the blink of an eye, South Africa have lost two wickets.
Stiaan van Zyl continues to suffer from the spin hoodoo as he plays down the wrong line to an Ashwin delivery that is ramrod straight. He gets trapped in front and he falls for 10. In the same over, Faf du Plessis comes down the track and gets a thick inside edge onto his pads, however, Cheteshwar Pujara at short leg anticipates brilliantly and takes a low catch with both hands. The third umpire wanted to check whether the catch was clean and it is. Du Plessis goes for a duck and his poor form continues. Brilliant from Ashwin and India. South Africa are 15/2.
10:04 hrs IST: After six grinding overs, Ishant and Binny have kept a tight leash on the runs. However, Stiaan van Zyl breaks the shackles by caressing a boundary off Ishant to deep extra cover. Ishant asks for the ball to be changed and the umpires agree. It makes no difference though as van Zyl unleashes another drive through extra cover. Ishant gives away 10 runs in his fourth over.
10:00 hrs IST: Lunch has been taken at Perth with Australia reaching 486/4. Much better session for New Zealand. Meanwhile, South Africa have struck the first boundary with Stiaan van Zyl caressing a drive from Ishant through extra cover.
09:51 hrs IST: South Africa's openers have started off slowly. They will be looking to see off the first tricky hour and get their eyes in. Ishant and Binny have bowled with good discipline and they have given nothing away for the batsmen.
09:43 hrs IST: Over in Perth, Australia have lost Usman Khawaja for 121 and New Zealand are putting up a decent show on the second day.
09:40 hrs IST: Now, this is another surprise, Stuart Binny comes into the attack to share the new ball with Ishant. He is getting some swing both in the air and off the seam. This is enterprising from Virat Kohli. South Africa are finally under way with Dean Elgar nudging a shortish ball to mid wicket.
09:36 hrs IST: A decent first over from Ishant. Full and probing away in the channel outside off, nicely played by Stiaan van Zyl. Not much of movement on offer but there seems to be some zip off the wicket. Meanwhile, before the match, AB de Villiers was felicitated for his 100th Test match.
09:33 hrs IST: Ishant is sporting a new look. He has tied his long hair in a bun. He looks like a tall, Shaolin Monk. Can he repeat his heroics of the Colombo Test when he bowled with absolute aggression?
09:30 hrs IST: All right, we are all set to start. Ishant Sharma, who was handed a one-match suspension, is finally back as the leader of the attack. Three slips and a gully for him. A slight delay here. Sightscreen issues as always. Why can't the sightscreen be sorted during the break between the toss and the first ball?
09:00 hrs IST: Virat Kohli wins the toss and opts to bowl. Two changes in the Indian team. Ishant Sharma returns and Umesh Yadav goes out. This is a surprising move, Stuart Binny replaces Amit Mishra. Three changes for South Africa. Morne Morkel and JP Duminy return which is a huge boost. Kyle Abbott replaces Vernon Philander. Here are the playing XIs of the teams:
India (Playing XI): Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli(captain), Ajinkya Rahane, Stuart Binny, Wriddhiman Saha(wicketkeeper), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Varun Aaron
South Africa (Playing XI): Stiaan van Zyl, Dean Elgar, Faf du Plessis, Hashim Amla(captain), AB de Villiers, Jean-Paul Duminy, Dane Vilas(wicketkeeper), Kyle Abbott, Morne Morkel, Kagiso Rabada, Imran Tahir
08:54 hrs IST: The pitch is a lot firmer but there are still some wide cracks on the pitch. Sunil Gavaskar reckons that with the moisture on the pitch due to the recent rains, there will be some grip for the spinners and some seam movement for the fast bowlers. However, the pitch will flatten out as the day progresses.
08:50 hrs IST: With the toss just 10 minutes away, let us turn our attention to the Perth Test. David Warner's double century and Usman Khawaja's second consecutive ton put Australia on top against New Zealand on day 1. Warner went past 250 and looked good for a triple century but Trent Boult got the breakthrough and he fell for 253. Australia are still in a dominant position and it will take a superhuman effort from New Zealand to stay in the match.
08:45 hrs IST: This is going to be a special Test for AB de Villiers as he becomes the seventh South African batsman to play 100 Tests. The superman of world cricket currently is in magnificent form. Here is a look at his top five knocks in his 11-year Test career.
08:35 hrs IST: A warm welcome to the second Test between India and South Africa from Bangalore. First bit of important news. The weather is absolutely fine and the match will start on time. There has been a lot of rain in the last one week in Bangalore and there is plenty of rain in Chennai. However, it is a pleasant winter morning in Bangalore and there are no expected delays.
This is a special match for AB De Villiers. It will be his 100th Test. He will be the seventh South African player to get to this landmark and it has been a remarkable journey for a batsman who made his debut against England in Port Elizabeth in 2004.
De Villiers will be at 'home' in Chinnaswamy's conditions. Having been part of Royal Challengers Bangalore, 'AB' has issued a warning to his IPL team captain Virat Kohli. But the Indian captain is not willing to play mind games. Kohli rates among De Villiers among the top five in the world.
South Africa's captain Hashim Amla admitted that the Mohali defeat was more due to bad application and less due to a treacherous wicket. With JP Duminy expected to be back, the visitors will have a capable man in the middle.