South Africa’s fast bowlers produced a brilliant performance as the hosts dominated Day 1 of the second test at Johannesburg on Monday.
India suffered a big blow as Virat Kohli was ruled out of the second test with upper back spasms. Stand in skipper KL Rahul won the toss and elected to bat first.
The openers Rahul and Mayank Agarwal got the visitors off to a solid start. The duo added 36 runs for the opening wicket before left arm seamer Marco Jansen drew the first blood by dismissing the latter caught behind the stumps for 26.
Duanne Oliver then got into the act by Cheteshwar Pujara (3) and Ajinkya Rahane (0) leaving the visitors in trouble at 49/3.
The pair of Rahul alongside Hanuma Vihari resurrected the innings with a valuable 42 run stand for the fourth wicket before the latter fell to a brilliant catch by Rassie van der Dussen at short leg off Kagiso Rabada for 20.
The 29 year old Rahul battled hard and reached yet another fighting half century. However, he fell immediately top-edging a pull off Jansen.
Rishabh Pant (17) fell in the final session as he inside-edged a Jansen delivery to wicket keeper Kyle Verreynne.
Shardul Thakur fell for a duck as he cut a Olivier delivery straight to gully. Ravichandra Ashwin scored a crucial 50 ball-46 before he top-edged an attempted slash off Jansen to Keegan Petersen at point.
Jasprit Bumrah remained unbeaten on 14 as India were bowled out for 202 in 63.1 overs.
For Proteas, Marco Jansen ended up with figures of 4/31, while Duanne Olivier and Kagiso Rabada claimed 3 wickets each.
In reply, Mohammed Shami provided the early breakthrough by trapping Aiden Markram (7) leg before wicket.
Keegan Peterson on 12 got a reprieve when Pant failed to hold on to a thick outside edge that flew to his right off Jasprit Bumrah.
The hosts ended Day 1 at 35/1 in 18 overs with Dean Elgar (11) and Peterson (14) unbeaten at the crease.
Stumps at the end of Day 1
India- 1st innings-202 all out.( KL Rahul 50, R Ashwin 46, Marco Jansen 4/31) vs South Africa 35/1) trailing by 167 runs.