Axar Patel gives this key number for India to beat South Africa in 1st Test: 'If we can keep them under...'

India need to stop South Africa under 125 to win the first Test, reckons all-rounder Axar Patel after the Proteas reached 93/7 at the end of the second day at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

South Africa currently have a 63-run lead in the second innings with captain Temba Bavuma batting at 29 alongside Corbin Bosch who will resume from 1. Axar thinks keeping South Africa’s lead under 100 will be key.

IND v SA: Axar tells batters to be attacking

“If we can keep them under 125, it should be chaseable,” the left-arm spinner said after the stumps on the second day where 16 wickets fell. Axar said the batters will need to keep an attacking mindset to get success on such pitch.

“From one end it feels like it’s going straight, but from the other end everything is happen. Have to play attacking cricket as a batter,” he said. “Have to convert loose balls and keep an attacking mindset. Can’t have a defensive mindset because you’re never in.”

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Axar who has only picked up a wicket in each innings so far said that as a bowler, patience is needed on such pitches as one might try to bowl the “magic ball” every time.

“When you know there’s something in it for the bowlers, you can get carried away by the thought of bowling some magic balls. Patience is key,” he added.

India vs South Africa 1st Test Day 2

Starting from 37/1, Indian overnight pair of KL Rahul (39) and Washington Sundar (29) spent the first hour unscathed before Simon Harmer broke the partnership. The off-spinner had Sundar caught in slips in the 35th over and the procession of wickets started soon after.

In a big blow to the side, India captain Shubman Gill had to retire hurt after just three balls due to a neck spasm. Rishabh Pant (27) and Ravindra Jadeja (27) both got starts but could not convert as Harmer picked up four wickets to bowl India out for 189. Marco Jansen also picked up three wickets but India managed to get a crucial 30-run lead.

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Indian spinners then picked up all seven Proteas wickets before the day’s play ended due to bad light. Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers with four scalps to his name while Kuldeep Yadav also got a couple of wickets.

With the pitch offering turn and variable bounce, a stiff fourth innings chase could be in the offing for India who await update on Gill’s injury.