Johannesburg – A 70-run second-wicket partnership between Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara steered India to 109 for two at tea, a lead of 145, on day three of the first Test at the Wanderers, in Johannesburg, on Friday.
Pujara was unbeaten on 39 as he was joined by first-innings centurion Virat Kohli (6 not out), just before tea.
Without Morne Morkel, who injured his ankle shortly before lunch, the South African attack did little to trouble the batsmen.
It took a poor shot from Vijay (39) to get a faint edge to a ball going down leg from Jacques Kallis for the breakthrough, as India lost their second wicket on 93.
Earlier, Vernon Philander brought up his 100th Test wicket with the scalp of Shikhar Dhawan in the eighth over of the India innings. The 28-year-old also became the fastest South African bowler to 100 wickets, taking just 19 Tests to achieve the feat.
South Africa had added just 31 runs to their overnight total of 213 for six before they were all out for 244 trailing India by 36 runs. – Sapa