India vs. South Africa, 1st Test, Day 2: Steyn Has a Tight Groin, India Show Up

India continued to edge toward complete dominance of the first Test against South Africa. After being all out for 201 on Day 1, they skittled South Africa out for 184. On a track that offered just enough turn for India's spin wizards, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Amit Mishra, the visitors stumbled.

Dean Elgar (37), Hashim Amla (43) and AB de Villiers (63) were the only South Africa batsmen to get into double figures. India's second innings went much better than their first, with their batsmen looking cool and composed. Despite Shikhar Dhawan's dismissal for a duck, Murali Vijay added a useful 47, eventually falling to a brilliant catch by Temba Bavuma. Che Pujara knuckled down and ended the day unbeaten on 63.

India have a 142-run lead heading into Day 3. The pitch hasn't settled down, but India's batsmen have, meaning the Proteas have a mountain to climb. We’ve picked some of the talking points from Day 2.

Ravi Jadeja’s No Ball or Not No Ball

South Africa continued to struggle against spin, and while De Villiers looked a little shaky too, he was the only one who managed to play a few shots. Before De Villiers had even reached double figures, India thought they had their man.

De Villers was caught behind off Jadeja, but the umpires went upstairs to check for a no ball. All the angles weren't clear, but after much deliberation, it appeared as though Jadeja's heel was not behind the line when his toe landed. The decision was reversed, but it cost much consternation.

"

How expensive was that Jadeja no ball. Hope it doesn't cost us the match. #INDvSA

— Vinay (@iamvinays) November 6, 2015"

Some of the on-air commentators reckoned the benefit of the doubt should have gone to the bowler and that De Villiers should have been out. The South Africa batsman went on to score 63, leaving some fans to wonder just how expensive that no ball would be.

Dale Steyn: Rhymes with Groin Strain

South Africa were without their mainstay fast bowler, Dale Steyn, when they took to the field for India’s second innings. Cricket South Africa said it was simply a precautionary measure after the fast bowler experienced some tightness in his groin.

Toward the latter stages of his career, Steyn has increasingly struggled with niggles. While he is likely to be back in action before the first Test is over, being without one of their key men, even on a pitch not conducive to fast bowling, isn’t ideal for the Proteas.

Imran Tahir Needs to Do More Against the Top Order

Imran Tahir did a good job against India’s tail order on Day 1, but on Day 2, he looked innocuous once more.

Tahir’s biggest problem in the longest format of the game is that he tries far too many deliveries in one over. He has no stock ball that allows him to build pressure and attack with one of his special deliveries. Steyn’s absence obviously played a role, but Tahir remains unconvincing in Tests.

See, There’s Nothing Wrong with the Pitch

On Day 1, much of the talk was about how dodgy the pitch is. While there is no doubt it’s a tricky wicket, South Africa’s shot selection was poor. Short a batsman—JP Duminy is out injured—they needed to settle down and plan better. Wickets do tend to fall in clusters on this pitch, but there is nothing wrong with the pitch itself.

What Will South Africa Be Comfortable Chasing?

If their first innings is anything to go by, South Africa won’t be comfortable chasing anything more than 230, especially if India’s spinners manage to repeat their bowling exploits from the first innings.