Shardul Thakur registered career-best figures of 7/61 as India fought back at the end of Day 2 by restricting South Africa to 229 at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Tuesday.
Resuming at a overnight score of 35/1, the pair of Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen added 53 more runs before Thakur provided the much needed breakthrough by dismissing the former caught behind the stumps for 28.
The 30 year old all rounder Thakur struck twice in succession- first by dismissing Peterson (62) caught at second slip by Mayank Agarwal, and second by sending back Rassie van der Dussen who fell in a controversial circumstances leaving South Africa in trouble at 102/4.
Der Dussen walked off as there was no conclusive evidence to prove that the catch had been taken cleanly.
The pair of Temba Bavuma and Kyle Verreynne brought the innings back on track with a valuable 60 run stand for the fifth wicket before the latter was trapped leg before wicket for 21.
Shardul Thakur claimed his maiden five-fer by dismissing Bavuma caught down the leg side for 51. Mohammed Shami bagged the wicket of Kagiso Rabada caught at mid on by Mohammed Siraj for a duck.
Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen scored handy runs down the order to ensure the hosts take a slender lead. The home side were eventually bowled out for 229, with an overall lead of 27 runs.
In reply, India lost both KL Rahul (8) and Mayank Agarwal (23) to Jansen and Duanne Olivier respectively. Cheteshwar Pujara (35 no), and Ajinkya Rahane (11 no) added an unbeaten 41 run stand for the third wicket as the visitors ended Day 2 at 85/2, with an overall lead of 58 runs.
Stumps at the end of Day 2
South Africa- 1st innings 229 all out. ( Keegan Petersen 62, Temba Bavuma 51, Shardul Thakur 7/61, Mohammed Shami 2/52) vs India second innings 85/2.( Mayank Agarwal 23, Cheteshwar Pujara 35*) lead by 58 runs.