Proteas remain in charge but talented Pandya proves a pest

The Proteas are very much still in control of the first Test against India at Newlands after Saturday’s second day but that they aren’t dominating is down to one man: Hardik Pandya.

The 24-year-old all-rounder has been a hit on the subcontinent for the past year or so and came into this tour with a reputation of having easily settled in at international level.

South Africa will now be well aware of the danger he poses.

Pandya (2/17) stifled the home side’s progress with two late wickets in the day as they ended on 65/2, a lead of 142.

More importantly, his two wickets were key ones.

First, he cramped up Aiden Markam (34)  – who was looking untroubled –  and caught the top edge before exploiting Dean Elgar’s (25) tentativeness with a ball outside off that held its line.

However, Pandya made his biggest contribution with the bat – a magnificent 93 off 95 balls as he almost single-handedly kept India in the game.

When the South Africans reduced them to 92/7, it seemed as if India’s previous batting failures in local conditions would be repeated.

But this team – ranked No 1 on the Test rankings – has been hailed as a skillful one as well as an outfit with more determination than previous squads.

And it showed as Pandya and the compact Bhuvneshwar Kumar (24) combined for a crucial partnership.

Pandya truly does have the ability to play all around the park but his square-of-the-wicket ability is quite special.

He did ride his luck though.

Dale Steyn (2/51), who produced a mesmerising spell in the first hour after lunch, troubled him with a quicker delivery on 15 that was edged to gully but Dean Elgar was late on the chance.

Quinton de Kock also grassed a stumping chance when he was on 71.

And therein lies a lesson for the Proteas, who have had it rather easy at home the past 18 months.

Lowly opposition like Sri Lanka (for example, last season) let you off the hook but against teams like India and Australia, you’ve got to take every chance.

South Africa’s lax period during the early afternoon undermined some good work in general but they would’ve been happy bowling their opponents out for 209.

Vernon Philander (3/33) and Kagiso Rabada (3/34) were the main stars.

The Proteas are concerned over the fitness of Steyn, who went off with a bruised heel and underwent further scans.

An update on his condition should be forthcoming later this evening.

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