Vangipurappu Laxman (23 not out) and Cheteshwar Pujara (10
not out) restored stability to India's second innings to leave the tourists on
92 for four at the close after South Africa claimed four quick victims to have
them reeling at 56 for four.
India had earlier been blown away having resumed on 183 for
six in their first innings, Dale Steyn taking six for 50 as the hosts prised
out the top-ranked Test team for 205.
However, that small total was still enough for a
first-innings lead as India bundled South Africa out for just 131 to gain an
unlikely 74-run advantage, Harbhajan Singh claiming four for 10 and paceman
Zaheer Khan three for 36.
India's opener Virender Sehwag began the second innings in
his customary daring fashion as he raced to 32 with several daring strokes, but
at 42 for no wicket and with the lead at 116 runs the introduction of left-arm
seamer Lonwabo Tsotsobe momentarily swung the match back in South Africa's
favour.
Sehwag lashed out at the rookie bowler and edged a catch to
wicketkeeper Mark Boucher, while a hostile lifter from the lanky Morne Morkel
accounted for opening partner Murali Vijay, caught at short-leg for nine.
Tsotsobe then nipped the ball away from Rahul Dravid to find
the edge of his bat and have him caught behind for two while Sachin Tendulkar
(6) knicked a drive off Steyn which AB de Villiers caught at third slip.
India will have a lot to do on a bowling friendly wicket on
day three, but thanks to Harbhajan's wonderful burst of spin bowling when he
tore through South Africa's middle and lower order with four wickets in just
7.2 overs, the tourists are well positioned to level the series.
Harbhajan's introduction in the 24th over on a pitch
seemingly suited for the pace bowlers changed the momentum of the Test.
The off spinner struck in his second over as South Africa's
top-scorer Hashim Amla (33) tried to sweep but missed and was trapped in front
of his stumps.
The dismissal started the collapse as South Africa lost
their last six wickets for 35 runs in 12.1 overs.
Ashwell Prince was bowled by Zaheer for 13 and then Dravid
then snapped up an astonishing catch at slip - his 200th in Tests - as
Harbhajan ripped the ball on to the edge of Steyn's bat before Cheteshwar
Pujara brilliantly snared Paul Harris at short leg for a duck in the same over.
South Africa lead the three-match series after winning the
first Test in Centurion by an innings and 25 runs.
