Faf du Plessis’ 17th fifty revives South Africa in Centurion Test against India

Faf du Plessis notched up his 17th fifty and shared crucial partnerships with the tail as South Africa were bowled out for 335 on day 2 of the Centurion Test.

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis reached his 17th Test fifty on the second day of the Centurion Test here on Sunday. Du Plessis reached his 50 in 127 balls, with seven boundaries. Given the context of the game, this innings was of immense significance as South Africa wouldn’t have crossed the 300-run mark without him. (INDIA vs SOUTH AFRICA LIVE UPDATES)

Faf du Plessis notched up his 17th fifty to boost South Africa as they were bowled out for 335. (AFP)

Coming out on the overnight score of 24, du Plessis was straightaway asked questions by Ishant Sharma who hit him on the front leg first ball of the morning. The next time du Plessis was again struck --- this time by Jasprit Bumrah --- on his pads, it seemed a closer decision. (INDIA vs SOUTH AFRICA LIVE SCORECARD)

India asked for a review but replays showed the ball hitting him above the line, meaning the visitors had exhausted all their reviews. Du Plessis was not going to wait around amid all this. He was good square of the wicket on both sides

He first punched Mohammed Shami --- who was bowling a better line --- on the up through mid-off, followed by another through cover point in Shami’s next over. Even Ravichandran Ashwin, India’s best bowler so far, wasn’t spared as the South Africa skipper swept him for a boundary behind deep backward square leg.

Hardik Pandya managed to get a thick edge off his bat in the 107th over but du Plessis carried on with his job of scoring round the wicket. He reached his half-century first ball off the 109th over, picking Pandya for two runs.