Despite struggling with a sore shoulder, South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj played a gritty knock of 72 in the first innings of the second Test against India.

Amid the batting top and middle-order collapse, Maharaj shared a 109-run stand for the ninth wicket with Vernon Philander (44*) to take the Proteas innings till the last over on Day 3.

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Thanks to their herculean effort, the visitors eventually posted 275 in the first innings, still conceding a massive lead of 326 runs.

Reflecting on his knock after the third day’s play, Maharaj said: “Vernon and I said to ourselves that we’ll just get through to tea and see after that. Being a lower order batsman your fingers do itch to play a big shot but Vernon kept me in a good mind space.”

“But I remained positive because if you go into your shell a ball with your name will come along sooner or later.”

Maharaj also opened up about the planning he had done with the support staff to counter Indian bowlers.

“I sat with Prasanna (analyst) last night and look at the gameplan for me going forward. I wanted to stay outside off stump to spin, I tried to stay legside of the ball for Jadeja. We saw Shami got the ball to reverse, and the wicket is deteriorating, but the longer you bat the easier it is.”

Asked about his shoulder, the left-arm spinner said, “It (shoulder) is very sore. Yesterday I dived on it so lot of bruising. But hopefully I’ll be fine for the rest of the series. After a few pulls I felt normal.”

(With PTI inputs)