Cape Town, Jan 11 (FN Agency) South Africa reached 17/1 at stumps on Day 1 of the third and series-deciding Test against India here at Newlands on Tuesday. The hosts trail by 206 runs. With just over half an hour left in the day, South Africa openers Dean Elgar and Aiden Markram found themselves in a tricky period. Jasprit Bumrah, who made his Test debut at the venue in 2018, struck for India and got an early breakthrough. The fast bowler got the big wicket of South Africa captain Elgar (3), who was squared up completely and edged it to first slip. Markram (8 not out) and Keshav Maharaj (6 not out) saw off the day. Earlier, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli did exceedingly well in the first session after the dismissal of openers in quick succession. The duo capitalised on their hard work and displayed intent with some superb shots in the second session before Marco Jansen got the much-needed breakthrough. The left-arm fast bowler removed Pujara, who got caught behind for 43, ending the 62-run partnership for the third wicket. Kohli, however, kept on anchoring the innings, taking on Kagiso Rabada. On a short ball, the India captain played an uncontrolled pull shot which went for a maximum. Rabada got rid of Ajinkya Rahane (9).
The right-hander was given out caught behind but he went for a review after consultation with his captain. The ultra edge showed a clear spike and the review was turned down. While Kohli was set, wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant was settling in. On the third ball of the 52nd over, Duanne Olivier appealed for Kohli’s, who was on 39, wicket and convinced his captain Elgar to go for a review. The ultra edge showed a flat line and a gap between the bat and ball. While South Africa lost their review, Kohli and Pant saw off the second session. Kohli started the final session with a welcoming boundary off Lungi Ngidi. Pant, too, ensured to ball reaches the boundary line. The India captain brought up his much-deserved fifty off 157 deliveries in style, driving the ball through the off side off Olivier. Jansen struck again for South Africa just when the partnership was blossoming. Pant, who was on 27, gave a simple catch at gully region.
Although Kohli was running out of partners, he continued to take on the South African attack. Neither Ravichandran Ashwin nor Shardul Thakur could support Kohli in the middle. Shardul (12) chipped it to short cover, where the ball landed in the fingers of Keegan Petersen off Keshav Maharaj but not before a six against Kagiso Rabada over the point. Ashiwn (2) was caught behind off Jansen and Bumrah departed without scoring. In the battle of greats, Rabada got the better of Kohli. The India captain feathered one behind, which marked the end of Kohli’s valiant effort on 79. Mohammed Shami added seven runs, while Umesh Yadav remained not out on four towards the end. India won the toss and elected to bat first. Rabada, who was playing his 50th Test, took the new ball for South Africa, with India openers KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal in the middle. Rahul opened India’s account as he pushed the ball down the ground in the first over.
Soon, Mayank, who was on zero, got a life when Keegan Petersen dropped him at the third slip off Rabada. Mayank took the charge and picked up a boundary and then gently pushed the ball down the ground for his second boundary. Rahul and Mayank made the most of the first hour, leaving the bad ones. In the 12th over, India suffered a major blow as Olivier struck for South Africa and dismissed Rahul for 12. The India opener got a thin nick and wicket-keeper Kyle Verreynne completed an easy catch. In the next over, Rabada ensured Mayank follows Rahul back to the pavilion. Mayank got an edge and Aiden Markram caught him at second slip for 15. Mayank’s dismissal brought in captain Kohli, who missed the second match due to an upper back spasm. Rabada welcomed Kohli with a short ball to which the Indian captain ducked.