Thakur's record haul lights up controversial day two

India have claimed a slender advantage in the second Test at the Wanderers, ending a tense and controversial day on 2-85, a lead of 58, having earlier bowled South Africa out for 229.

Shardul Thakur took a career-best 7-61 as India conceded a 27-run first innings deficit. 

Stand-in skipper KL Rahul was dismissed cheaply in reply and when Mayank Agarwal followed, they were effectively 2-17.

But Cheteshwar Pujara (35 no) and Ajinkya Rahane (11no) added an unbeaten 41 in 50 balls to tilt the Test back in India's favour with three days to play in Johannesburg.

Having dismissed India for 202 late on the first day, the hosts battled their way to 229, with Keegan Petersen scoring a maiden Test fifty. His 62 was the highest first-innings score by either side on a tricky pitch.

Temba Bavuma also scored a half century, making 51. His 60-run fifth-wicket partnership with Kyle Verreynne (21) steadied the hosts' innings after Thakur claimed three wickets in five overs to tip the balance of play back towards India. 

Thakur returned in the middle session to break the Bavuma-Verreynne partnership, dismissing both batters. He then came back again to wrap up the innings after the tail had begun to frustrate India.

His figures were the best by an Indian bowler against South Africa in Tests.

"My mindset changed when I realised I was the third seamer," revealed Thakur in reference to Mohammad Siraj being restricted by a hamstring injury suffered on the first day. 

Thakur took the wickets of captain Dean Elgar, Petersen and Rassie van der Dussen, with the last ball before lunch, his figures then reading 3-11. 

Van der Dussen, whose place in the Test team is under threat, struggled before he got an inside edge behind to Rishabh Pant to depart for just one.

He was given out on the field and walked, but despite replays suggesting the ball may not have carried to Pant, the dismissal was not referred to the third umpire.

Skipper Elgar and team manager Khomotso Masubelele met with the match referee during the lunch break to discuss the dismissal, but the decision remained.

Elgar and Petersen offered stoic resistance for the first 90 minutes of the morning as the South Africans resumed on 1-35.

Elgar took 55 minutes and 32 balls before adding to his overnight score of 11 in a patient display of concentration while Petersen was able to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Elgar's innings ended as he got an outside edge to Thakur and was caught behind by Pant for 28 off 120 balls

Having played carefully to 50, Petersen opened up and paid the price for one expansive shot too many as he was caught in the slips.

Marco Jansen and Keshav Maharaj both made 21 as the tail edged South Africa into what could prove a telling lead. 

India are 1-0 up in the three match series and looking for a first series success in South Africa.