India v South Africa, 2nd Test, Bangalore, 2nd day November 15, 2015

Steady rain washes out day two

India 80 for 0 (Dhawan 45*, Vijay 28*) trail South Africa 214 (De Villiers 85, Jadeja 4-50, Ashwin 4-70) by 134 runs
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

Persistent rain kept the pitch at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium under covers on the second day © BCCI

South Africa received an unexpected hand to give them a shot at saving the Bangalore Test. Well it wasn't entirely unexpected, in that it had been raining in Bangalore leading in to the Test and the cyclonic activity around India's east coast had promised more rain, but a steady drizzle since morning to wash out the whole of second day's play was unexpected.

That was arguably the first good news for South Africa in the Test series. After they psyched themselves up on a turning surface in Mohali, they lost Dale Steyn and Vernon Philander to injury, and then were bowled out for 214 on the first day after being asked to bat first. The Bangalore pitch was a normal day-one India track, but they managed to lose eight wickets to spin.

India, who had knocked off 80 runs on the first evening, were now looking for quick runs to get into lead. They will feel frustrated by the rain, not least because thunderstorms have been predicted for the third and fourth days of the Test too.

Sidharth Monga is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

Comments