South Africa vs India: Proteas left a lot of runs on the park says day two star
South Africa batter Keegan Petersen starred for the home side on a difficult day two of the decisive Test against India.
Petersen found himself at the crease in the first over of the day, but would bat beyond tea, recording a second Test fifty.
He might feel that a hundred was on the offering as the pitch appeared to behave itself better with the sun out, but Petersen’s dismissal just shy of the 200-mark for South Africa would see the innings wrapped up granting India a 13-run first innings lead.
Petersen said that he found conditions very testing despite the appearance that it was easier to bat on undr sunshine.
“I think we sold ourselves short with the bat in terms of the runs. If we could have passed them and get a bit of a lead we would be happy.
“I think that was the plan coming into the day to bat as long as we could. It’s not for lack of trying. It’s just eluding us at the moment,” Petersen said.
“It’s extremely challenging out there. It is the toughest of my whole career.
“You have to be focused and on your mark all the time, otherwise they will expose you. They test you in terms of scoring.
“There are not many scoring opportunities. If the one does come then you have to pounce on it.
“They are arguably one of the best bowling attacks in the world. We knew that coming into the series that it would be challenging.”
India made it to 57 for 2 by stumps, losing openers Mayank Agarwal and KL Rahul before Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli took India to the close.
Petersen feels that South Africa are still very much in the game, especially if they can bag wickets early on day three.
“We are a bit behind the eight ball going into day three,” Petersen said.
“I think if we can pick up a few early wickets tomorrow (Thursday) morning it will be key, especially the two batters at the crease now.
“They have been a bit of a headache for us in the last couple of innings. If we can get two or three wickets it will be different.”