The pitch at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens was in the news before the start of the India-South Africa series. The pitch curator had said that the sporting wicket would provide equal advantage to both batters and bowlers and that the game would last five days. However, the conditions of the match suggest that the game could end on the third day.

The batters’ helplessness has been exposed over the two days. Excluding the retired heart of Indian captain Shubman Gill, 26 wickets have fallen. The highest run came from the bat of KL Rahul (39). Although the match leaned towards the pacers on the first day, the spinners triumphed today.

South African spinner Simon Harmer took four wickets for 30 runs. Pace star Marco Jansen took three wickets.

India started the second day at 37 for 1 in reply to South Africa’s 159. They were bowled out for 189. Except for Rahul, no one else could reach the 30-run mark. The second-highest score was 29 by Washington Sundar. Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja scored 27 runs each.

India had taken a 30-run lead, and in the second innings, South Africa struggled against the spin duo of Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav. At the end of the day, South Africa was 93 for 7. Captain Temba Bavuma remained unbeaten on 29, while Corbin Bosch was at the crease on 1.

Bavuma is the only South African batter who scored over 20 runs. If the pitch behaves the same on the new day, it will be even more dangerous for the batters. South Africa lead by just 63 runs, three wickets in hand.

India is getting the scent of victory in terms of conditions. But the behaviour of the pitch is different. If South Africa can increase its lead a little more, India can also be in danger. Gill’s neck problem is still not over. So the hosts will have to chase South Africa’s target with 10 batters.

Jadeja took four wickets for 29 runs in South Africa’s second innings, with Kuldeep taking two.