‘Take a bow’ – Fans applaud Aiden Markram after his terrific century versus India in Cape Town

South Africa’s talented right-handed batter Aiden Markram scored an amazing century to give South Africa a fighting chance during the Cape Town Test. Markram battled long and hard as the wickets fell at the other end to steer his team to a respectable total.

Jasprit Bumrah was the star with the ball as he picked his ninth fifer in Test Cricket on day two. India’s wicketkeeper KL Rahul who has been safe behind the stumps for India dropped Markram and cost Bumrah his sixth wicket.

South Africa began the second day trailing India by 36 runs with seven wickets in hand. 23 wickets had fallen on the first day with the match hurtling towards an early finish. Mohammed Siraj bowled with fire and pace to pick a career-best 6/15 in the first innings.

Aiden Markram ton lights up Cape Town –

Team India began from where they left at the end of day one. Aiden Markram was the last man standing between an easy win for India and a fighting target on the board. The 23-year-old did not seem fazed despite losing his mates at regular intervals.

David Bedingham was the first batter out on day two when he was caught by Rahul off Bumrah for 11. Kyle Verreynne mistimed a pull with Siraj settling under the ball and taking a simple catch. Shreyas Iyer took an easy catch as Jasprit Bumrah turned to the dressing room to celebrate his fifer.

At 111/7 with an overall lead of 13, South Africa needed Markram to step-up and the opener did just that. Throwing all caution to the wind, Markram played some crisp shots and kept the boundaries coming as the lead started to build.

Prasidh Krishna was smacked for 20 runs in his first over with one of the sixes clearing the stadium. When Markram steered Bumrah past the gully region for a four the entire South African dugout stood up to applaud with Dean Elgar leading the charge.

Mohammed Siraj ended the vigil when he had Markram out for 106 caught by Rohit Sharma. This was the third time this series Siraj had got the wicket of the opening batter as Cape Town stood up in unison to cheer a memorable knock. Bumrah ended the innings with a sixth wicket dismissing Lungi Ngidi caught by Jaiswal. India were set a target of 79 to win the second Test and level the series 1-1.

Here’s how the fans reacted –