India-South Africa Share Honors On Day 1, Score 35/1

Cricket Image for India-South Africa Share Honors On Day 1, Score 35/1 (Image Source: Twitter)

IND v SA: It was a tough day for batting where India got all out for 202 and South Africa lost an early wicket and survived 18 overs before the stumps were called at Wanderers. 

The day began with Virat Kohli being ruled out of the test due to upper back spasm and KL Rahul being made the captain. India won the toss and opted to bat first. 

Mayank Agarwal started off the three fours while Rahul took the back seat. South African bowlers were looking a bit off-color at the beginning with no clear bowling plan. 

However, the pacers settled after the first 10 overs and the run-scoring dropped. Marco Jansen removed Mayank in the 14th over for 26. South Africa continued to bowl tight lines and didn't allow Cheteshwar Pujara and Rahul to score freely. 

In the 23rd over, Olivier got Pujara caught at Gully with extra bounce. On the very next delivery, Ajinkya Rahane too edged one to the slips as India lost back-to-back wickets with 49 runs on the board. 

Resuming the session at 53/3, Rahul and Hanuma Vihari added 42 runs for the fourth wicket in 91 balls to stabilize the innings after two quick wickets in the morning session. Vihari looked good for his 20 off 53 before Rassie Van der Dussen picked a stunner at short leg to end his innings. 

Rahul soon reached his fifty as he added another 25 runs with Rishabh Pant but got caught at the boundary trying to pull, ending his 133-ball inning. 

The evening session saw the Indian lower order contributing crucial 46 runs after Pant got out scoring 17 runs. Ashwin scored 46 runs in 50 balls with the help of six fours to help India go past the 200-run mark. Jasprit Bumrah smashed 14 runs in 11 balls, all in boundaries - two fours and a six - and remained not out. 

Marco Jansen ended with four wickets while Duanne Olivier and Kagiso Rabada took three wickets each. 

In reply, Mohammad Shami struck early as he caught Aiden Markram struck in front. Dean Elgar and Keegan Petersen had to face a stunning spell from Indian pacers to end the day with a score of 35/1. 

Brief Scorecard: 

India - 202/10 

South Africa - 35/1 in 18 overs