DURBAN, Dec 26 (PTI): Opener Murali Vijay marked his return to form with a fluent unbeaten 91 as India gained early control of the series-deciding second cricket Test against South Africa with a solid batting display here today.
The 29-year-old Vijay, who had not managed to get a big score for some time now, was just nine runs short of what could be his fourth Test century as the visitors reached a comfortable 181 for one before bad light stopped play at the Kingsmead.
Vijay found an able ally in Cheteshwar Pujara (batting 58) as the duo stitched an unfinished 140-run second wicket partnership to wrest the initiative from the South Africans who toiled hard on an unresponsive pitch.
Electing to bat, the Indians lost Shikar Dhawan (29) early but Vijay and Pujara, who scored 153 in the epic drawn Test in Johannesburg, ensured that they did not suffer any further damage by batting cautiously. Riding on Vijay and Pujara�s exploits, India went into tea on a commanding position at 163 for eight.
Coming out to bat post tea, the two batsmen had disappointment in store as only eight overs were bowled in the final session of play before bad light interrupted the proceedings, eventually forcing the umpires to call off the remaining day�s play.
Earlier, resuming India�s innings at 76 for one in the post-lunch session, Vijay and Pujara further increased their 35-run partnership for the second wicket, playing with consummate ease.
Despite the sun hiding behind clouds after the break, there was nothing more than a hint of movement on the bouncy pitch for the South African pace battery.
The two batsmen made good use of the conditions, playing watchfully yet at the same time scoring at a decent pace.
India crossed the 100-run mark in the 30th over. The last 10 overs bowled by the Proteas in the post-lunch session had cost 48 runs without producing a wicket.
It was the highlight of the day as run-scoring became easier once the batsmen had got themselves in, something Vijay did with aplomb in the first session as Pujara just carried on his form from the first Test, where he scored 153 in the second innings.
