Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara batted with lot of grit as India reached 109 for two in 40 overs at tea, thereby extending the overall lead to 145 on the third day of the first cricket Test against South Africa here today.
Vijay (39) and Pujara (39 batting) added crucial 70 runs for the second wicket as the Indian batsmen took full advantage of speedster Morne Morkel being ruled out of action due to a twisted ankle during fieldinghaving bowled only two overs.
Tamil Nadu opener Vijay looked assured during his 94-ball knock as he hit five boundaries and it was unfortunate that he got out after getting set as he flicked a delivery from Jacques Kallis (1/23) down leg-side into the hands of AB de Villiers behind the stumps.
Pujara on his part was watchful as ever during his unbeaten 107-ball stay at the wicket so far in which he hit four boundaries and also rotated the strike to keep the scoreboard ticking.
Pujara-Vijay brought up the India's 50 in the second innings in the 23rd over. With drinks break coming up, Tahir came up to bowl and was taken for nine runs immediately.
Tahir didn't get to bowl another over in the whole session, but in the one he bowled, India's lead went past the 100-run mark.
Even after Vijay's departure, Pujara carried on the good work in company of first innings centurion Virat Kohli (11 batting).
Dale Steyn (0/29 in 14 overs) upped the ante against Kohli with innovative field settings that included couple of short covers and short mid-wickets but it didn't cause any damage to the visitors. Even De Villiers handed his keeping gloves to Hashim Amla and rolled his arm over at the stroke of tea.
